Page 106 of Trapped By the Maharaja

The man surged forward.

Her breath tore out of her lungs. “Ram!” she gasped, panic raw in her voice.

Before she could move, Ram was already in motion. He shoved her back, shielding her completely with his body, just as the attacker lunged. The knife arced down, aimed straight for his chest.

Gasps and screams erupted around them.

But Ram caught the man’s wrist mid-air, the force of the clash reverberating through the dais. The attacker snarled, twisting, trying to break free, but Ram’s grip was iron. His other hand slammed into the man’s shoulder, forcing him sideways, the blade missing its mark by inches.

The crowd fell into chaos, organizers shouting, people scrambling back, but Sanjana couldn’t move. Her entire body locked in terror as she watched the scene unfold.

It was all too real, too fast. The knife had been meant for him.

Ram twisted, wrenching the man’s arm down hard against the dais railing. The knife clattered to the ground with a sharp clang. Ram struck, his fist connecting with brutal efficiency, until the man sagged, dazed and bloody.

Security stormed forward, dragging the attacker away, his head lolling between them.

Sanjana’s legs buckled, and she gripped the railing to steady herself, her lungs burning as she gasped for air.

Ram turned with his dark eyes blazing. His gaze found hers instantly.

“Are you hurt?” His voice was rough, fierce, his chest still heaving with the aftermath of the fight.

She shook her head, unable to speak. Her throat was too tight, her heart still racing in fear.

Ram’s hand pressed to her back, anchoring her firmly to his side as he guided her away from the crowd. The crowd was still murmuring, shaken, whispers already spreading like wildfire. But Sanjana barely heard them.

Her hand clutched at Ram’s sleeve, unthinking, desperate to feel that he was solid and alive beside her.

Ram didn’t release her as the guards secured the grounds. With his hand still steady at her back, he guided her away from the shaken crowd and toward the edge of the ground, where a helicopter was already waiting, blades thumping in the afternoon air.

“Take her back to the palace,” Ram ordered the head of security, his tone sharp, brooking no argument. Armed guards closed ranks around her as he helped her into the cabin himself.

Her hand lingered on his sleeve for a moment, wanting to protest, but no words came. The door shut, the engine roared louder, and she could only look at him through the glass as the helicopter lifted. His tall figure stood rooted to the ground below.

She watched until she could no longer see him.

Her eyes closed as her heart thudded sickly.

What if she hadn’t seen the attacker? The knife would have been lodged in his back.

For the first time, the thought of losing him was more terrifying than anything else.

CHAPTER 44

The temple pond shimmered under the bright sun. Sanjana saw Ram standing just a few paces away from her, tall and broad, his maroon sherwani glinting faintly under the light of the oil lamps that floated on the water. He turned to her, his eyes catching hers, something soft flickering there, an intimacy she hadn’t seen in years. She stepped toward him, her lips parting to call his name.

That’s when the shadow appeared from behind the trees.

An attacker lunged with steel flashing. A knife. It arced through the air with deadly precision.

“Ram!” Sanjana screamed, her voice tearing from her throat as the blade plunged into his back.

She saw his body jolt, saw his knees buckle. His dark eyes glazed with pain, then dimmed as his weight crumpled to the ground.

There was blood. A lot of blood spilled across the stone steps, pooling toward her bare feet. Sanjana dropped to her knees, grabbing him, shaking him, but his body was heavy, limp, lifeless.

“No, no, please!” Her voice broke as she pressed her hands against the wound, her fingers wet with red. “Don’t leave me, Ram, please!”