Page 89 of Trapped By the Maharaja

Sanjana gasped as one rider was flung violently into the dust, the bull’s hooves narrowly missing him as it barreled forward. Another lost his grip and tumbled sideways, rolling across the ground until villagers rushed to drag him out of harm’s way.

Her fingers dug into the carved armrests of her seat, heart thundering as she scanned the dusty ground.

Where is he?

Her frantic eyes finally found him in the dust.

Ram rode one of the largest bulls, his powerful body molded to the beast’s movements, his hand gripping the thick rope tied around its neck. His muscles flexed with every jolt, every violent twist of the animal’s body. Dust swirled around him, the garland on the bull’s horns whipping wildly as they surged forward.

Her breath stuck in her chest. He looked utterly magnificent.

The crowd screamed in exhilaration, chanting his name. But she knew Devara Maharaja wasn’t completely untouchable. He could get hurt and bleed like all mortals.

When she saw the bull shaking its body violently, her heart leapt into her throat. She watched as Ram fell on the ground with a sick thud. But before she could gasp and panic, he chased the bull in strong strides and swept on its back in a smooth move.

“Don’t worry,bhabi,” Samar’s deep voice cut through her panic. “Bhai has been racing since his teenage years.”

Sanjana nodded even though she wasn’t entirely reassured.

She glanced sideways and saw Suchitra Devi’s face composed as always. But as she lowered her gaze, she noticed that the Queen’s fingers were pressed tightly into the armrests of her chair, betraying a mother’s worry beneath the calm.

The bell clanged again, and the final lap was announced.

Sanjana’s heart thudded hard as she watched the race. Ram leaned low over the bull’s heaving body, commanding it forward. Soon, the beast thundered past the finish line, dust rising in a cloud as the crowd exploded into deafening cheers.

He won.Ram Devara had not only survived the danger, but he had also conquered it.

The chants of“Maharaja Ram Devara!”rose in the air along with drums.

Sanjana’s heart hammered in her chest, a mixture of fear, relief, and something dangerous she didn’t dare acknowledge.

???

Darkness had fallen outside the tall palace windows. Sanjana had been pacing the master suite for what felt like hours. The food left in the corner sat untouched, while the silence of the vast room pressed in around her. She’d already showered and changed into nightclothes, but her mind refused to settle.

Why hasn’t he returned?

She had returned to the palace at sunset with Suchitra Devi and armed security guards. The security head had told Sanjana that Ram and his brothers would be returning in another helicopter at a later time.

Is he hurt? Did his brothers take him to the hospital?

Her mind kept replaying the events of the day. The knife attack, during which Ram had fought off the attacker. And then the dangerous bull race, with the wild image of Ram astride that massive beast, his tanned body gleaming in sunlight. She had seen him fall and then get back on the bull. Even now, hours later, the memory made her chest tighten with a mix of anger, worry, and something she refused to acknowledge.

Just when she thought she couldn’t take the wait anymore, and she would march into Suchitra Devi’s suite to ask what happened to Ram, she heard the familiar sound of a helicopter’s thrum.

He is back.

The helicopter noise died away, leaving behind a charged silence. Long minutes dragged before footsteps finally echoed down the silent corridor. Her heart raced as she half-expected injured Ram to be carried inside by his brothers or someone letting her know Ram was hospitalized.

The doors opened with a soft click, and Ram stepped inside.

Her eyes swept over him. He was once again dressed in the deep maroon sherwani from the morning ritual, its goldembroidery gleaming faintly in the lamplight. His dark hair was combed back, and his handsome face was unreadable.

His gaze was locked on her as he closed the door behind him with deliberate slowness, the quiet click making her heart thud loudly. His gaze swept over her, taking in her loose hair, her nightclothes, and the way she froze mid-step.

Sanjana’s heart hammered against her ribs. She hated that his single look could unravel her so completely.

“Ram,” she said at last, her voice steadier than she felt. “Where were you?”