Page 13 of Trapped By the Maharaja
Sanjana nearly gasped when she caught her first sight of the Devara palace from the helicopter.
Unlike the Rewa palace, which resembled a storybook palace by a river, the Devara palace was perched high on top of a hill.
Bathed in the hues of sunset in orange, red, and gold, the stone and marble fortress-like structure looked both stunning and intimidating, reminding her of the man seated next to her, whose presence filled the small cabin inside the helicopter.
Taking a deep breath, she turned towards him.
The evening light caught on the sharp angles of his face, making him look regal, unreadable, and untouchable. Despite her anger, she was acutely aware of him and their upcoming night.
“Does any of your family live with you in the Devara palace?” she asked.
“No.”
Her fists clenched against her lap while her stomach fluttered hard with nervousness.
By the time the helicopter descended onto the Devara Palace grounds, the sun was beginning to set. Another round of rituals awaited them, priests chanting and attendants scattering petals as she and Ram crossed the threshold of yet another palace.
Sanjana went through the motions while her mind filled with anger and nervousness. She took in the grand staircase, high-ceilinged marble halls, the walls lined with oil paintings of grim-faced ancestors, the antique rugs and the carved wooden furniture polished to perfection.
This will be my home for the next three years.
She was both terrified and furious at the thought.
Later, she was led to a long dining table that could have seated at least forty people, though only she and Ram occupied it currently. Silver platters and crystal bowls covered the length of the table, each filled with elaborate dishes prepared by the palace cook.
Ram ate with practiced calm, his movements at ease, as though nothing about this day was unusual. She, however, could barely force down a few bites. The thought of the upcoming night made every swallow heavy.
When the palace staff urged her to try more dishes, she murmured an excuse, saying she was full from the meal at the Rewa palace, even though she had barely eaten there due to nervousness as well.
Finally, after several moments, she placed her fork down. “I’m done,” she murmured.
Ram’s dark gaze flicked to hers, unreadable.
“Show Maharani to her room,” he commanded softly.
Instantly, four young women stepped forward.
Sanjana rose to her feet, her legs feeling unsteady. The women led her away, but with every step she took, she could feel Ram’s gaze lingering on her back, heavy and unshakable, even though he hadn’t followed her.
The women guided her up the grand staircase and then through long, winding corridors. The rugs muted their footsteps, but Sanjana’s pulse thundered in her ears.
When the carved doors of the master bedroom suite opened, her breath caught.
The master bedroom was larger than her entire apartment.
It was lit by golden lamps that cast shadows across velvet drapes and polished furniture.
The massive four-poster bed at the center was covered in red and gold silk with rose petals and jasmine buds strewn on top.
The fragrance of the flowers made her stomach flutter with nerves.
The women moved quickly around her, loosening her veil and helping her remove her jewelry. Her heavy saree followed next after removing the pins holding it together with careful hands. Her skin felt sore where the waistband had dug in.
But just as they held a cream-colored silk nightgown, and told her they would assist her for a bath, she shook her head.
“Thank you for your help, but I will get ready on my own,” she said.
The women looked at each other with uncertain looks. “But the Maharaja instructed us—”
“I’ll let him know I insisted,” she said.
The women seemed reluctant, but thankfully, they nodded and left, their anklets chiming softly before they shut the door with a soft click.
Exhaling a deep breath, she walked through another archway that led to a massive bathroom.
Marble floors veined with gold stretched into a sunken bathtub. The tub was already filled with warm, scented water. One side of the wall was covered with a mirror and massive dual sinks.
Ignoring the bathtub, she stepped into the massive stone cubicle and took a quick shower.
When she stepped out and wrapped herself in a towel, she realized she didn’t have clothes, except for the cream-colored silk gown.
With her cheeks burning in anger, she slipped it on and stepped out of the bathroom.
Her heart jerked violently when she saw Ram inside the bedroom. For a moment, she wanted to run back into the bathroom and lock herself inside. But she controlled herself. She didn’t want him to think she feared him. Powerful men like him relished their prey’s fear.
Taking a deep breath, she went into the bedroom.
Ram stood near a window, tall and composed, his ceremonial jacket discarded, his shirt half undone. The lamplight caught on the sharp lines of his face and the broad width of his frame.
His eyes fell on her, dark and unreadable.
The silk gown clung to her damp skin, its thin straps making her feel far too exposed under his gaze.
A muscle ticked in his jaw. For a moment, she held her breath, her heart pounding, but then his expression shifted. He appeared cold and dismissive as he crossed the room, not toward her, but toward the bathroom.
As soon as the bathroom door shut, she went and climbed onto the massive bed. She was physically exhausted from the long, eventful day, and the silk sheets and rose petals felt soft against her skin. But she couldn’t fall asleep because her mind alternated between anger and fear.
He will claim his rights tonight.
She knew he hated her. But he would claim his rights because he needed an heir
While she waited, the door opened, and her pulse raced.
She kept her eyes closed, but she could hear his footsteps as he came closer. Her body tensed as the mattress dipped under his weight.
He lay down beside her, and she could smell the musky scent of spice and sandalwood.
She held her breath as she waited, every nerve in her body braced for his touch.
But he didn’t reach for her. Within moments, she heard his breathing deepen, indicating he had fallen asleep.
Sanjana’s eyes opened in the dark.
She had imagined that she would be submitting to him. To consummate the marriage and fulfill the terms of the contract to give him an heir.
But she didn’t expect him to be coldly indifferent.
And then it struck her. He didn’t want to touch her. He couldn’t. The thought of touching her must make him feel disgusted.
And she knew why.
He hadn’t forgiven her for betraying him with another man.