CHAPTER 34
Yamini woke slowly.
Morning light spilled through the tall windows. The snow-capped peaks outside glowed soft white.
For a moment, she just lay there, caught somewhere between sleep and memory.
Then it came back.
She breaking into Bharat Jogra’s room. Seducing him. Then accusing him of revenge. And then, the kiss.
Her breath hitched at the kiss.
She wondered if she had imagined it.
She lifted her fingers to her lips. A faint throbbing still lingered. And when she pressed slightly harder, she felt the subtle sting of whisker burn against her lower lip.
Her cheeks heated.
It hadn’t been a dream.
Bharat Jogra had kissed her. Twice. Like he was starving the first time. Slow and devastating the second.
And then he had carried her back to her room, told her to rest, and walked away as if nothing significant had happened.
Ugh.
The man she married drove her crazy with his hot-and-cold behavior.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
“Come in,” she said.
The palace maids came in with their usual quiet efficiency.
“Good morning, maharani,” Savita greeted with a bright smile.
Although her body was still slightly sore, she got out of bed to get ready.
After a hot shower, she stepped out and walked to the closet.
She chose a simple lehenga in soft sage-green silk, embroidered with fine gold thread along the hem and sleeves. Compared to the elaborate ceremonial clothing from the previous day, it felt understated yet appropriate for a breakfast shared with royalty.
Just as she sat on the dresser, Savita and the rest came to assist her with the jewelry.
There was a soft gasp.
She realized it was from Savita. The younger girl’s eyes were on Yamini’s shoulder.
Frowning, Yamini looked into the mirror to see what made the maids exchange glances with reddened cheeks.
Then she saw it. A bruise on her shoulder that was visible even on her dusky skin.
Her cheeks burned. “I… uh… bumped into a door,” she said, even though the bruise was shaped like teeth marks.
Savita and the rest didn’t say anything while their lips pressed together with a knowing smile. They quickly applied light makeup to cover up the bruise.
Her hair was then braided loosely over her shoulder. She wore small gold earrings, a pair of bangles, and the emerald fish pendant.
She studied her reflection for a moment before looking away.
The pendant resting against her throat only reminded her of the man she was trying very hard not to think about and blush.
She had thirty minutes until breakfast time when she stepped out.
She stopped by the kitchen to chat with the cooks about the morning spread, swung by to check on Sheru and make sure the kitten had his saucer of milk and wasn't terrorizing anyone, and then headed toward the dining hall.
There were still ten minutes to spare when she walked in.
The staff was still arranging the final dishes when she greeted them with a smile and took her seat.
The dining table was already filled with breakfast dishes.
There were golden aloo parathas glistening with butter, bowls of fresh yogurt and homemade achar, saffron-infused kahwa, platters of seasonal fruit, soft girda bread, honey, almond pastries, and steaming copper pots of pink noon chai.
Near Rani Suchitra's place setting, several dishes from Rewa were laid out that Yamini recognized from childhood visits to the palace. The kitchen clearly intended to impress the queen mother.
When the grandfather clock struck 9, at the first strike, Bharat entered the dining hall.
Yamini’s heart jerked, and it began racing.
He looked exactly as he always did. Well put together with not a single thing out of place. That morning, he was wearing traditional Jogra clothing with a high-collared navy blue sherwani and a small heritage brooch.
He gave the staff a brief nod as they greeted him and moved toward his chair.
Then he saw her.
There was a tiny flicker across his face, gone before anyone else would have caught it.
His stride didn't slow. He didn't smile or say good morning.
He simply sat down in his seat and waited while the staff poured the pink noon chai into his cup and placed it at the exact spot they did each morning.
“Good morning, my dear maharaja,” Yamini greeted him. Although her words were spoken in a deliberate, sweet tone, there was no missing the underlying taunt.
His eyes lifted to her. His golden-brown gaze was intense as always, but his face remained unreadable. He looked cold and distant.
As if he hadn’t made her moan and scream hours ago. Or hadn’t kissed her breathless, and until her lips throbbed.
He gave her a curt nod and then picked up his chai.
Ugh. Why is he such an infuriating jerk?
She wanted to throw her chai at his perfectly composed face. But she also wanted him to kiss her again. Both those impulses warred inside her.
Before she could give in to either of her impulses or say anything, the rest of the family began arriving.
Samar Keshwa and Viraj Sahom came in first. They greeted Bharat and then her with a respectful “Bhabi.”
Pushing away her annoyance at their infuriating brother, Yamini smiled at them. “Good morning.”
Both men were maharajas and were intimidating as most wealthy, powerful royal men usually were. But compared to their infuriating older brother, they practically radiated warmth. Even Samar, who she had been fairly sure disliked her until yesterday, greeted her without any of his earlier stiffness.
Small victories.
Rani Suchitra arrived with Mira, and the whole room seemed to quietly straighten. The queen mother settled into her seat across from Yamini.
“Rani Ma,” Yamini greeted. “Mira.”
Mira returned a warm smile. Rani Suchitra returned a nod. Yamini had learned by now that a nod from Rani Suchitra was not the same as a cold shoulder. It was simply how she operated. She was working on not reading disaster into it every time.
Sanjana and Ram Devara came in last. Sanjana’s beautiful face was flushed as she hurried into the room.
“Sorry, we're late,” she said, slightly breathless. “We were watching the snow on the mountains and completely lost track of time.”
Ram Devara sat down without a word of apology, a small, distinctly pleased gleam in his eye.
Yamini didn’t have to guess the cause of their delay.
Rani Suchitra received them with a nod and didn't comment on the time.
Soon, the dining hall was filled with conversation.
Samar spoke of the media coverage. “Media access remains restricted to only the approved royal publications. But there have been leaks from some guests who have spoken to the media about the event. Security will handle the unauthorized press outside.”
“Many VIPs are going to be displeased about surrendering their phones at entry,” Viraj said. “But when it’s for someone more powerful than them, they will comply.” Viraj’s tone was matter-of-fact.
Yamini only half-listened to the conversations. She felt hyperaware of Bharat, who was having his breakfast in a precise manner. Sipping his noon chai. Cutting the meat into perfectly sized portions and eating it smoothly.
He looked unbothered and completely in control.
She knew he must already have all the details of the upcoming event organized and reported to him by his security and administrative teams.
Yamini felt a sudden impulse to shake up his calm.
Keeping her eyes on her breakfast, she raised her feet and ran along his leg under the table. She raised it further until she reached a muscled thigh.
Bharat’s expression didn’t alter, but she noticed how his fingers tensed slightly over the teacup.
Yamini suppressed a smile of satisfaction. She was about to celebrate her small victory when his golden-brown eyes met hers.
The look in his eyes quivered her stomach as they promised retribution.
She had poked the controlled maharaja at his own breakfast table in front of his entire family.
She told herself she wasn't looking forward to his punishment.
But a voice inside her called her a terrible liar.
Yamini quickly looked away, but her cheeks remained heated for the rest of breakfast.
When the meal concluded, Rani Suchitra rose.
“Yamini,” she said, voice even. “Walk with me.”
Yamini’s stomach tightened.
Did Rani Ma see me running my feet against her son’s thigh under the dining table?
She replayed the moment. She had been subtle. Mostly subtle. Bharat had tensed his fingers on the teacup, but his face hadn't changed.
Had Rani Suchitra noticed his fingers?
Oh God.
She followed Rani Suchitra through the long corridor, bracing herself for a lecture on decorum.
But instead of leading her to a sitting chamber, Rani Suchitra walked toward the grand entrance of Jogra Palace.
The heavy doors stood partially open, mountain air drifting inside.
Rani Suchitra stopped near the steps.
And waited.
Yamini frowned slightly in confusion.
The distant hum of an approaching helicopter cut her off.
As the helicopter landed, Yamini wondered who it could be.
When the helicopter door opened, a woman stepped out.
Yamini’s breath caught.
“Ma?”
She hurried forward, heart swelling with shock and excitement.
She had seen her mother recently when Bharat had accompanied her to her family home weeks after the wedding. But seeing her mother at Jogra Palace was entirely different. Her mother embraced her warmly before looking at her with tears glistening in her eyes.
“You look happy, my child,” she said, pride and relief on her voice.
Yamini smiled brightly. “I am happy, ma. And so excited that you came.”
Her mother smiled. “I was invited,” she said. “Papa and Arjun will attend the formal gathering this evening.”
Before Yamini could ask who had invited her mother, Rani Suchitra approached.
Yamini held her breath as Rani Suchitra stopped before Yamini’s mother.
Her expression was regal, but not cold.
“It has been too long, Maheeta,” Rani Suchitra said softly.
Yamini’s mother inclined her head respectfully. “Far too long. Suchitra,”
“I am pleased you accepted the invitation to come here,” Rani Suchitra continued.
“I would not have missed this,” her mother replied.
Their hands clasped.
Yamini felt her throat tighten. She had always regretted being the cause of destroying her mother’s friendship with Rani Suchitra.
But now, as she watched Rani Suchitra and her mother converse as though five years had been a long interruption rather than a permanent fracture in their friendship, she felt something loosen inside her chest.
The relief lasted only a moment.
What would happen if Rani Suchitra or her mother found out that her marriage was just a three-year contract?
What would happen when she left again after three years?