| Abhiya FF - His Firefly | COMPLETED Chapter 108 Pg 88 - Page 18

Great chappy

Love it

Continue soon

You make my day

Originally posted by: cuteariya

Sorry for being late dear I was caught up with work I couldn’t finish reading

Amazing chapters like always

Wow abhiya shared so romantic moment together☺️

They confess their love for each other in their hearts❤️

As they don’t have to say loud coz they can feel it❤️

Oh god that monster jay attack on Pia & kabir😡

At first pia got confused with kabir’s behavior😕

She got even more shocked when kabir turned into jay😲

Pia couldn’t understand how’s that happened?

On the other hand kabir was unconscious but glad they didn’t kill him

Poor Pia was in danger

Glad Abhay & siddarth found kabir & took him to the hospital

That monster jay hurt Pia disgusting😡

So happy this time Pia didn’t scared of that monster👏

Past was really painful

I feel really bad madhu & siddarth lost their baby🥺

Abhay was broken seeing the state of the palace & worried for siddarth & madhu

It was really painful to siddarth & madhu almost lost their life also lost their baby🥺

I wish Abhay had found that monster Maithili that time & kill her for good

Abhay wasn’t ready to be alone so he turned siddarth & madhu to vampire

Somewhere it was little selfish but Abhay had no other options he couldn’t let his brother & sister in law die😭

Thank god danish found Pia & with madhu went to save her🤗

They killed all the werewolves who came on their way👏

That bloody anshuman wanted Pia’s soul tried to keep her away from Abhay😡

Yippee Abhay killed that monster jay also defended dipanita

Finally Pia saw Abhay’s vampire form

It was really hard time for Pia to believe whatever she saw that time

Seeing the situation that monster anshuman runaway😡

Uff that leader of the vampire he wasn’t ready to understand😡

What Abhay tried to stop him he hurt Abhay😡

Abhay couldn’t help when that leader wiped Pia’s memories

it was really painful for him to think Pia won’t remember him or their sweet moments🥺

Thank god horatia came their to help abhiya🤗

Abhay somehow took Pia to her home

Horatia assured Abhay when he return he will get his Pia back😊

Poor Pia was so confused when she couldn’t remember😭

She was confused seeing horatia but trust her when she said she will return her memories

It was so much confusing but Pia let horatia do what she wanted

Finally Pia got her memories back & also understood why Abhay always used to keep distance from her

At least now she got a time to think probably abt the situation

Somehow Pia’s heart couldn’t fear of Abhay❤️

She wondered if now Abhay will tell her entire truth but horatia solve her problem😊

Now horatia going to show Pia the past

Pia went to meet kabir with horatia

It was so peaceful to available to walk again

Kabir still can’t remember abt the attack

Now it’s time for Pia to see past

Hope Pia will get to know that monster anshuman want her soul to wake up Maithili

Waiting to know Abhay’s reaction seeing Pia all fine with her memories

Continue plz

🤗 Abhay will be the happiest I’m sure

thanks dear!

Originally posted by: soniakhanna01

Great chappy

Love it

Continue soon

You make my day

Thanks so much 🤗

Chapter 46

Who You Used To Be

All it took was holding Horatia’s hand. The trip was instant, but it put such a brunt of stress on Piya that it felt longer. Stretched and warped through a blip in space, like clay. The House of Time welcomed her into its quarters without much fuss, after the fact. It was a privilege to be up here.

“Of course, you won’t remember much of this actual place once you leave. Just what I show you.”

Piya nodded and hovered a finger over the giant hourglass, watching the sand fall, grain by grain. Moving but stationary. The glass zapped her skin just a little, so she pulled it back.

“Welcome.” A voice echoed from above.

Piya looked up, as Horatia shook her head. The boy that spoke looked like Horatia’s twin, and stared at her bleakly before continuing his work, avoiding all subsequent eye contact. The only sounds came from the scratching from his feather quill.

“Don’t mind him. He knew you were coming.”

“Oh....”

Piya took a step, striking her head under a floating book. There were several of them, suspended in zero gravity. If she concentrated herself, flying wouldn’t be impossible. Her feet didn’t quite touch the stone floors all the way.

“Is this really okay? I’m not supposed to be here, am I?”

“It’s okay, because you’re here with my permission. Anyone else would be vaporized on the spot, if they could reach us.”

Time was a delicate being indeed, and thus needed to be protected at all costs.

Piya didn’t like the sound of vaporized souls. Even she was extremely vulnerable, without Horatia’s protection. One wrong action and she could disappear from existence entirely. She swallowed nervously, but it felt odd because there was no physical sensation to couple it.

I miss my actual body already.

All her senses were intact, but it didn’t feel quite the same.

Records needed to be gathered, all organized in the massive shelves that stood behind around the hourglass. They spread far and wide, hard to tell its end. Growing towards infinity with each passing moment. Like the grains of sand.

“Come.” Horatia took her hand and led her forth, into the trove of Time’s library. Piya looked around, trying to find a possible triplet. Her understanding of time was thrown upon its head. It was best that Future avoided her. Her curiosity would get the best of her and unnecessarily create trouble. She too, like many people, wanted to know what their futures had in store for them. It was tempting.

“Say, if you’re Past, and he’s Future, is there a Present too?”

Horatia giggled and shook her head. Present was a big part of the mortal understanding of them.

“Not in the same way we are. Time is an ever-moving construct. The present only occupies an infinitely minuscule space. It can’t manifest like we both can. It’s just us two.”

The shape of the hourglass reflected this. Large vessels for the top and bottom, holding immense amount of knowledge, and a small, thin passage for the middle.

Piya followed with echoing footsteps through the endless height of bookshelves. They stopped after an indescribable length towards the back, and Horatia lifted off her feet, collecting a section of books with strange markings on their spine. In fact, they all had similar markings. They glowed when she touched them.

“Is everything written in these? All of history?”

“All of existence up until now. This is all my being. And these....” She bounced the stack in her arms, creating the sound of fluttering pages. “....these are the parts you want to see.”

“So many?”

It reached Piya’s height. Her eyes widened in surprise.

“I told you it was a lot to take in.”

Piya slid her hands across the spines, missing every single one. Her extremities all passed through.

Right. You can’t touch things here.

Instead, she folded her hands in front of her, walking further to the back. Horatia carried the books effortlessly, keeping incredible balance. Books were an interesting choice of representation of her being, one that Piya was amused by. It was like a collection of stories, retellings of historical events and the daily lives of those who lived before her. She was to see one such timeline.

A large door, ten times both their heights combined, appeared at the end of their path. Like a heavy castle door, it looked to need several men to open. Assortments of clocks embellished its finish.

Before Piya could ask of its purpose, Horatia set the books down and waved her hand behind them. The markings on the spine glowed, lifting the texts and merging with the door, all vanished and turning the arms of each and every clock back rapidly. It left the gaps underneath the door itself to glow with a muted palette of darker shades.

“Do the colors mean anything?”

“Just a glimpse of the atmosphere.”

Dark.

“Ready?”

Piya nodded, and took her small hand as the doors opened by themselves with a shrill light, to the beginnings of a past tale.

——————————————————————

March 15th, 1696. Pandher Palace.

The doors to Time’s home closed behind the two, leaving them standing without foundation in a grassy field, surrounded by flourishing gardens. The rose bushes were particularly eye-catching. Piya took a few steps forward, feeling the cool grass beneath her toes. The fresh crispness in the air tickled her nose.

“I should’ve worn my slippers before leaving.”

Horatia looked at her bare feet and shrugged.

“It’s alright. Walking barefoot won’t hurt you or anything. You don’t have a physical body here.”

Piya stared at her arms and legs. Her spectral form glowed a soft mix of yellow and white, kind of like the fireflies she saw in the forest that other night. It was pretty. Supposedly, according to Horatia, Abhay admired its light just as much as she did.

“Does Abhay’s have a color?”

“Every soul has one. I’ll leave his as a surprise for you to see.”

Piya smiled and looked up at the cloud-riddled skies. It was no different than what she often looked at, at home. Some things didn’t change.

“It looks so real. Like I traveled back in time.”

“This is the closest you, or any other mortal, will ever get to time travel. No one wants to deal with a paradox.”

Stormy gusts blew past her arms. The year, she was told, was 1696, in the midst of a colder than usual spring. A magnificent palace, standing tall beyond the rose gardens, was their first destination. The winds picked up, rocking the bloomed flowers to and fro, starting gentle, then ending violent. The two stood separated from this chaos.

“Is this...Pandher palace?”

“Yes. At its peak.”

So long ago.

“300 years…..” Piya murmured. Back in her time, it was taken over by nature, leaving just forest and vegetation, ensnaring the dull remains of its former glory.

“We are here during King Indranuj Singh Pandher’s reign, the kingdom’s 23rd, and last known ruler.”

“I read about him in the book, but it lacked detail.” Piya said. “He’s Mandu’s father, right?”

“Correct. She’s the eldest daughter, heir to the throne, and turning 3 this year.”

It was unfortunate that human history didn’t remember her. But maybe she preferred it that way. From what cards life dealt her, she looked to have made the best of it, or at least remain positive. Piya wanted to ask later.

Horatia encouraged Piya to follow her steps, acting as her guide. As they approached the entrance, a carriage raced by them, cutting them off from the doors. The horses neighed and stumbled to a halt, and a crackle of lightning struck the spire. Piya flinched.

Should one believe in superstition, they would steer clear of this place. Even Piya was feeling a negative energy from inside.

“Were storms like this common?” She wondered, shielding her face, though the two were unaffected.

“This is not a natural storm.”

“What do you mean?”

“To put it simply, Nature is throwing a tantrum.”

The doors of the carriage were thrown open, clattering against the wind and body. A woman, eyes covered with the veil of her sari, adjusted a cloth bag on her shoulder, and was escorted inside by the guard that accompanied her.

“Let’s go.”

Horatia skipped ahead. Piya was able to keep up, with a lack of body weight aiding her speed. The interiors were bigger than they looked outside. She slowed her pace, admiring at the paintings and memoranda that hung with glory on the walls. Things the palace in her time probably lacked. Servants rushed past and through them, exhausted and panicked.

“What’s going on?”

“Princess Maithili was born today.”

Maithili.

Unknown as to why, the name evoked a slight of envy within her, no matter how long ago she had lived. Her soul’s color reflected the emotion, green with envy, as they say.

“You’ve seen her before. Mandakini’s only sister.”

The girl in the photo.

“Is she connected to all this somehow?” Piya breathed, hoping the answer was no.

“You’ll see. I can’t spoil everything, right?”

The hallways were dim, fed minimal light by several torches that lined the walls. Their flames faltered, threatening to extinguish with the next gust of wind. Many struggled to bolt the windows.

Horatia was not worried about losing Piya, since she had control and sight over everything here. Up ahead, Piya was observing the small crowd surrounding a nearby bedroom. Clothing made it easier to pick out important figures, especially those she read about.

Closest to the door stood two men, waiting with bated breath like the others. One was the king himself, and the other was dressed to indicate more than just a servant. Someone who held a high post. He possessed features that Piya had seen before. In fact, Siddharth looked a lot like him.

Indranuj placed his hand on the man’s shoulder, calmly speaking his mind. There was no need for his ministers at this time, and he had his own family to be with.

“Devagya, go home. You aren’t needed here, and it’s best you reach before the storm gets worse.“

It felt inappropriate to leave, at a time like this. He shook his head.

“I cannot do that, your highness. It is important that you be here right now. Any other disturbances, I must take care of in your stead.”

I guess stubbornness runs in the family, Piya thought, holding an amused smile.

“It isn’t likely in this weather. Go home. It’s an order.” He replied firmly. “Take the carriage.”

In the end, a king’s decree was absolute. Devagya reluctantly nodded and stepped back, lowering down into a bow. Piya watched him leave, and turned her attention towards the room. She expected more sound, but it was muffled down by the chaos outside and chatter inside.

A woman stepped out, swathed in royal garments, turning her head to and fro. Piya had never seen such a beautiful sari in her life, nor the amounts of gold one woman could wear.

“My king.”

Her eyes were wide with worry, and drooping with exhaustion.

Horatia nudged Piya’s hip.

“The book of yours mentioned two queens, correct?”

Piya nodded.

“She is the first one, Queen Revati Singh Pandher. Mandakini’s mother.”

The woman she had only seen a printed portrait of was standing in front of her, when she was alive. It was surreal. Piya took notice of the earrings, the same as Mandu’s. She remembered the sparkle in her eyes when she mentioned their origins.

The painting captured her likeness well.

The guard rushed forth, with the woman they saw earlier. She had the straps of her bag wound up between her palms, veil lifted and eyes shifting about, as if in fear of being caught. The guard spoke.

“The midwife, your highnesses.”

She folded her hands and quietly bowed her head, now wearing trustworthiness in her expressions. Piya found the quick contrast unsettling.

“Come inside, quickly. It’s been several hours.” The queen altered.

Piya turned towards the door. She wanted to see what that woman was up to. Finding her ability to pass through any wall with ease, she followed suit, into the younger queen’s chambers.

“Queen Yamini Singh Pandher. The king’s second wife.” Horatia mentioned. The book said less about her than Revati. Piya couldn’t recall reading her name. She looked her way. Yamini looked exhausted, but awake and coherent. The midwife tucked herself in a corner, grinding what looked to be herbs discreetly in her arms.

Why is she acting so secretive?

And no one thought to observe her.

Piya took a look herself. She didn’t know much about herbal medicines, and initially thought to watch for a learning experience. A small stone, glowing with a dim light, was placed into the center of the paste, melting on contact to create a potion of sorts. When Piya looked up, she saw a brief flash of the same red runes that belonged to Jeh’s allies, on her cheeks.

Another one?

“I’ve been seeing these people lately. What are they?” She asked.

“Vitael. A sect of the original wiccan coven. Their name, in an ancient wiccan language, the traitors.”

“Why traitors? What did they do?”

“The forces of magic and worldly chaos can be controlled by two means, one’s own life force and the life force of others. One side wanted to coexist with nature and the other wanted to use nature to control it. They found it stronger than the norm. Many witches and warlocks believe them to have betrayed the sanctity of magic for the evils of greed, and it’s why they were banished them from the original coven.”

“In other words......?”

“An enemy to all supernatural. The werewolves only recently sympathized with them.”

Piya took some steps back. She need more clarification but it was enough to make her wary.

“You’ll see more when the time comes. An image is worth more than a thousand words, after all.”

The midwife began to speak, but didn’t turn around. To hid the glowing runes, she had to keep her face hidden.

“I require an audience with the queen only. Please, step outside the chambers.”

Her hand held steady below her chest, ready to cast a spell in case they didn’t leave voluntarily. A small ball of energy concentrated in her palm.

The handful of personal attendants and Revati honored the request, and she lowered her hand. Once left alone, she threw off her veil and leaned the bowl of pale green liquid over the writhing queen’s lips. They seemed to recognize each other. Yamini’s expressions relaxed.

“Drink, Yamini. Just a little longer.”

“Amba.....”

As the liquid traveled down her throat, energy coursed through her fatigued muscles. The ravages of the storm picked up speed. Along with it, after a few tensed minutes, the birth of Pandher’s second princess.

“She’s here. And such power....I couldn’t have guessed, that a child half human would be this strong.”

Yamini took her daughter in her arms, unable to smile. She could feel it too, that her daughter also held more power than her.

“This isn’t safe for you, Amba. If they find out.....” She hissed with her remaining strength.

“Don’t worry for me. Just raise the little one. She’ll serve your purpose well.”

The runes were present on the baby’s skin, but they quickly vanished. Not to appear until she was old enough to harness magic without trouble.

Piya looked at the newborn. Princess Maithili. Half human, half Vitael. Yet she looked like any newborn would, once the runes disappeared.

“Does anyone know that they aren’t human? The king, at least?”

Horatia tilted her head and looked to the side. One did, but not until much later.

“Someone will, eventually. You’ll find the situation familiar when it comes.”

Amba gathered her concoctions and swiftly exited the room, announcing the birth of the princess before hurrying by. She couldn’t be caught remotely near the palace, but risked it out of obligation to her childhood friend. No one questioned further, assuming she had other places to be. Midwives were especially sought in this time period.

Outside, there was general disappointment amongst some, hoping for a boy and thus a proper heir to the throne. The whispers were loud enough to be considered condescending. But Indranuj was more open-minded than previous kings; he believed his daughters had the capacity to become great rulers.

Piya found great respect for him.

“He seems like a good man, and father.”

Her color faded into a light blue, as did the rest of her faint smile. Sadness, perhaps?

“Indeed.”

The storm finally came to a rest, clearing the skies of grey. The servants were dismissed, sparing a few to tend to the resting queen. A month had to pass before they could see mother and child, as dictated by the royal physician.

Horatia planned to stick around just a little longer, before they moved on.

“Shall we tour the palace?”

“Tour? Or is there something else you want to show me?”

“You’re smart. Come with me.”

The halls weaved in all strange directions. As simple as the palace looked on the outside, it had nothing to show for it within. She lost sense of direction. Horatia stopped before an open door in the west wing, peeking her head inside.

It was a large bedroom, floor covered in handmade toys. A child was curled up in bed, hiding their body and face underneath the blankets.

Revati rushed inside, startling Piya into hugging a wall. Horatia couldn’t help but laugh, and stopped when Piya gave her the side eye.

“I’m not used to this, okay?” She whined.

“I didn’t say anything.”

Horatia could see these events anytime she wanted, without limitations. It was a new experience to have a human there with her.

“Humans are quite fun to be around. I should stay down there more.”

Piya shook her head and watched the scene in front of her. The servant watching the child bowed and folded her hands in apology.

“Forgive me, your highness. The princess couldn’t fall asleep from the storm. I tried everything.”

“No need to apologize, no one could control such weather. You may leave.”

The servant hastily left, thanking her stars under her breath.

Revati leaned over and whispered something out of Piya’s hearing. Piya reached the bedside, as the girl pulled the blanket off of herself.

She recognized her long before seeing her. But the features were there. The light green eyes. The small beauty mark under her lip. The same charm in her expressions.

Pandher’s next in line. Princess Mandakini Singh Pandher.

She threw herself into her mother’s embrace, not able to realize the the storm had since subsided. The young princess was not a fan of thunderstorms.

“It’s alright, my dear. The storm is gone.”

She shook her head and started crying, hiding her face under Revati’s veil. Indranuj stepped in at the same moment. Mandu reached for him instead.

“Baba....” She cried.

He smiled and took her in his arms, rocking her back and forth gently. Piya smiled. It was evident that they both loved her very much.

Her soul turned green again, just a little darker than before. Horatia knew why and didn’t comment. Piya sighed and turned away.

You’re too much, Piya. Too much.

——————————————————————

February 10th, 1697. Rao Manor.

Their next stop brought them to calmer weather, and a lighter atmosphere. All it took was a blink, and the scene changed. It was a bright, sunny day, cutting through the remains of winter snow. Spring came early this year.

“This is?”

“The Rao manor. Almost a year later.”

It was big in comparison to the houses nearby. They stood at the backside, beneath the shade of a tall oak tree. Outside in the small orchard, walking around with a basket of fruit, a woman watched two little boys playing in the garden behind her. The eldest held the hand of the youngest and paraded him around and through several puddles that dotted the open space. It had rained the night prior.

Piya watched the two closely, lips curved into a smile.

“Abhay looks so cute, doesn’t he?”

Horatia chuckled and paid more attention to the two brothers. Piya wished she had a camera, so she could snap a photo and tease him with it later.

“You recognized him?”

It was the eyes and dimpled smile that gave it away.

“At this point, it’s hard not to.”

Piya turned to the lady who was picking ripened apples.

“Who is she?”

“That’s their mother, Girija Rao. You saw their father previously, Devagya Rao.”

She was pretty. Abhay definitely took after her, especially the eye color. Siddharth too shared some features, but not nearly as many. He was a nice mix of both parents.

“How old are they here?”

“Abhay, he’s a little over 1. Siddharth is about 4.”

Piya drew her curiosity a little further.

“And how old were they when they each became vampires?”

“25 for Abhay. 31 for Siddharth. The numbers can get confusing depending on which age you’re talking about. Actual or physical.”

So there isn’t much time for them.

As humans anyway.

Siddharth was teaching him how to splash in puddles, ample amounts left behind from yesterday’s rain showers. They both hobbled in their steps, but held onto each other’s hand to keep balance. Abhay seemed to enjoy falling down more than jumping.

“So cute.” Piya gushed.

The bottoms of their trousers were soaked with the muddy liquid, but they didn’t let that bother them. Girija couldn’t keep her back turned for too long, worried that they’d each slip and hurt themselves.

“Careful, Siddharth. Both you and Abhayendra will get hurt.”

Piya furrowed her brows and enunciated the name silently on her lips. Horatia filled in the blanks for her.

“His full name. Though he stopped going by it after....”

Piya could make a guess.

“...he turned?” She finished. Horatia nodded in affirmation.

Abhayendra Rao became Abhay Raichand.

A big splash brought their attention back.

Siddharth, beholden the stubbornness a child naturally possessed, didn’t listen, and sat down in one of the bigger puddles. Abhay copied him, and threw a fist into the water. Back and forth, until their clothes were soaked to the bone. The two burst into laughter, warming Piya’s heart.

He pointed eagerly to his little brother, successful in making him laugh.

“Look, Maa. Abhay’s laughing.”

“Siddharth, learn to say his name properly.”

He had been shortening it ever since he was born. By now, it was too late; the nickname stuck.

“No. It’s too long.”

Piya giggled. She didn’t have anything against the full version, just biased towards the supposed nickname because that’s how she knew him. She had an inkling that Abhayendra Rao was much different from Abhay Raichand anyways. In more ways than just between a human and vampire.

“I’m glad the two are still like this, to an extent.”

“Abhay has changed much more than Mandakini and Siddharth have. But some things can’t change no matter how much you try.”

Like their relationship.

Girija called for their maid and they both took the boys inside to get cleaned up. Piya looked to Horatia, waiting to be taken elsewhere.

“What’s next?” She asked.

“Back to the palace.”

Same date, just different locations.

While the brothers were loud and rambunctious, Mandu was in the room of the younger queen, quietly rocking the Maithili’s cradle back and forth. She had been fussy and only now fell asleep.

Piya kneeled next to them.

“Her name was scratched out when I saw the photo. I can’t understand why.”

Horatia stood behind her.

Piya looked at Mandu, who looked happy to have a little sibling, and to be at her side. She would’ve probably done the same with Misha, had they grown up together.

“Mandu only mentioned her once to me. Did she survive? It wasn’t clear.”

“That’s....subjective.”

Two sisters, one human and one only half. It was a different connection from the start. Mandu yawned and fell asleep on the rug next to the cradle, wanting to sleep but also not wanting to leave. It was impossible to tell the difference between the two. Piya wondered if she was the one to figure it out. Only time would tell.

“I don’t have a good feeling about all this.” She whispered, leaving the room.

“And you shouldn’t. I won’t sugarcoat it.”

With all the new posts on the forum, I’m thinking of sending PMs for updates so you guys don’t miss them 😃

Like this message if you would like to receive them!

Nice update

Pia is learning about past..... this will help her to know about abhay nd understand him better.

Continue...

Originally posted by: Supervampire

Nice update

Pia is learning about past..... this will help her to know about abhay nd understand him better.

Continue...

it’ll be a whole journey 😉

Thanks!!😃

Chapter 47

Lost Childhood

April 3rd, 1700.

Knowing that the passage of time back home was much slower compared to this realm, Piya took as much time to see everything she was allowed to. By sunrise they would return to her world, Horatia had told her. She hoped she wouldn’t have to wait long after the fact to see him.

“Do you know what’s happening there right now?” She asked.

“The trial just started. I won’t know when it ends until it ends.”

She was just as limited as Piya in the forward direction.

The two traveled between the palace and manor frequently, letting Piya catch glimpses of both siblings’ lives. She was most intrigued with Maithili, part due to the same unexplained envy and part due to her lineage.

Not fully human.

She and Mandu grew close naturally by the years, joined at the hip, always together whenever they had the time. It was confusing to Piya as to why she didn’t remember her own sister so fondly. The one time she talked of Maithili, there was a strange mix of emotions in her eyes that neither revealed happiness nor sadness. Just a melancholic anger.

“You loved your own father too, before he abandoned you.”

Piya couldn’t deny that.

The roads of Pandher, turned into a bustling market just after departing the Rao manor, thinned out as the houses scattered farther and farther apart. Grassy hills and trees filled the perimeter. The two followed Devagya and Siddharth, leaving Abhay back at home. He wasn’t quite old enough to join them.

Last she saw him, he had fallen asleep next to his mother, as she played the sitar. Piya couldn’t help but listen, always appreciative for any form of music. She played beautifully.

“He’ll join them in three years.”

It was a new occasion for Siddharth, now old enough to accompany his father to the palace. Piya and Horatia walked in lockstep, as they continued down the cobblestone path together.

“So their father was a high-ranking minister?“

“Yes. And he hoped that both Abhay and Siddharth would follow his stead and later take his place. Hence the rigorous education, and trips to the palace.”

“The king really trusts him.”

“He trusts him the most, out of all his ministers. An intelligent man, and his best advisor. They have a unique rapport. I would even call them friends.”

“He’s very knowledgeable, that’s true.” Piya remarked.

Devagya Rao was a strict teacher, but attentive father. In the snippets of years that she was shown, Abhay seemed to be more interested in studying than Siddharth did. And yet he still avoided college like the plague.

“Wouldn’t he enjoy coming to lectures? He only has a semester left....”

“It’s a different reason entirely. He has a forced aversion towards humans, except you, of course.” Horatia mentioned.

Is that why he’s so distant with everyone?

She wondered what made him develop this aversion. Forced? What could that mean? They all did such a good job of hiding their secrets, and most people were tired of prying. She would’ve missed it herself, if she wasn’t conscious for the episode.

Piya dwelled on these thoughts, continuing down the path without asking where exactly they were. It was all serene regardless. But she did expect the family to have a better mode of transportation, as opposed to walking all the way there. Weren’t they wealthy for the time?

“The man is humble. And a little stingy.”

Siddharth raced steps ahead, hopping upon each piece of stone like in a game of hopscotch. The excitement of meeting royalty for the first time, he couldn’t contain it. The stories got mundane after a while, encouraging his desire to see it all first hand.

He stopped and looked around. There was no palace yet. Just more grass and road. He threw his arms to the side.

“Baba, how much longer?” He whined. It was taking too long. His feet hurt. There was no way he could do this everyday.

“Just a little more, Siddharth. Have patience.”

Piya was in no hurry, content in admiring this beautiful spring day. She could now understand, why Abhay loved the season the most. This spring was nothing like she’d ever seen before. A time when nature was allowed to flourish, before humans were allowed to pollute it. Dropped straight from the heavens.

“We’re here.” Horatia said. Piya saw the gates of the palace right in front of them.

“That was fast.” She muttered. It always caught her off guard whenever Horatia took them someplace else.

The two princesses often spent most of the day either in study and in physical training. And the older they each got, the less free time they would have. Today was one of those elusive days off. Both queens and princesses were out in the gardens, enthralled with swarms of butterflies and some hummingbirds. Revati watching over both, and Yamini looking aloof.

“I’ve never seen her with Maithili much, beyond necessity.”

“She wanted a son. If she had one, Mandakini would automatically lose her right to the throne, and would make her work easier.”

“But the king said....”

“He meant what he said, but wouldn’t turn down the norm if it presented itself. In their tradition, the first son is meant to be the heir to the throne, no matter the age. But he only had two daughters.”

“Still.....” Piya looked at Maithili, who twirled in her choli and reached to catch butterflies with her hands. She had no fault in this, in no way undeserving of a mother’s love. Revati smiled towards them both, unwittingly looking more like her mother than her actual mother.

She caught a light yellow one, and showed all three. While Revati and Mandu were impressed, Yamini only half smiled and went back to penning a letter. Maithili’s slight disappointment was evident on her face. She ran back to Mandu instead, watching a hummingbird suckle on the flowers.

“This is just how things were. She fell madly in love with Indranuj, and they married. Those of her coven shunned her as a result, for marrying a human and weakening the pure bloodline. They stripped her of most her power. She wants it back, with interest.”

“And Maithili? Why use her?”

“Despite being half human, she was strangely born with an immense latent power.”

That little girl, unaware to her true place in the world and her roles, to used like a tool. It sickened Piya.

“It’s something we can look back upon, but not change. History is history.”

The gates opened behind them. Siddharth looked much more flustered and nervous than he was tired. He didn’t know houses could be that big. The palace was huge. Everything was much bigger than back at home. The gardens, the entryways, the wealth. Beads of sweat collected on his forehead, unable to process what was happening. He wiped it with his sleeve, hiding behind his father.

“Is Siddharth okay?” Piya wondered. Maybe it was seeing royalty for the first time, in person. She would probably behave the same, though Mandu now renounced that image in present time. But seeing the truth now would ensure she’d get flustered next time, in front of them both. The next, and last, king and queen.

“Why would he? He’s meeting his future wife for the first time.” Horatia chuckled.

Piya opened her mouth, imagining a blush on her cheeks. Mandu and Siddharth’s first meeting. In hindsight, she expected it to be less mysterious as hers and Abhay’s. Something normal, something human.

“They’ve been together for so long.”

“303 years of marriage. It’s a lot, but it’s just as rich, sharing it with your soulmate.”

Soulmate.

The provoking thought turned her color a deep purple, drawing her attention. There wasn’t an emotion to associate with that color. She didn’t know, that it was Abhay’s color. But she did think of him.

Could he be mine?

“I’ve heard from myths and stories, that vampires don’t have souls. Then can such a connection remain, even after becoming one?”

“Myths are called myths for a reason. Not all of them are true. Vampires, their souls are trapped within their hearts. That is why the only way to kill one, is with a stake to the heart. It frees the soul from its undead prison.”

The way she phrased it, it sounded like a condemnation to the earth.

“The heart communicates the emotion of the soul. For them, with this unusual unison, that emotion is amplified ten fold.”

“But I never saw that. Abhay usually keeps emotionless, and Siddharth and Mandu just seem normal.”

“They learned to suppress them. There are also plenty vampires that don’t care, and it’s evident when you see it. I’m sure you’ll meet one some day. Abhay might even be the one to show you.”

Emotions can be dangerous. Too much of anything can be dangerous.

She brushed it off, and watched as Siddharth swiped a cut rose from one of the baskets lying around, out of anyone’s sight. The adults were distracted, conversing amongst themselves.

Not only could she hear spoken words, but Horatia let her in on some choice thoughts too.

Is this how I make friends with princesses?, he thought, anxiously grinding his foot into the ground. A stark contrast from the confidence she often saw in him.

“I’m feeling the second hand embarrassment already.” Piya said.

“Rest assured that she still teases him about it to this day.”

The rose shook nervously in his fist. It reached his expression. He stood quietly next to his father, greeting the queens, who then called Mandu over. Meeting the queens was nerve wracking enough, meeting the crown princess, who was about the same age as him, was ten times worse.

He looks funny...., she thought. Piya held in her laugh.

“Hello.....” She said, holding her arms behind her back. It would be rude to laugh, but she couldn’t help herself. She bit her tongue.

Maithili was watching from a distance, uncomfortable with the new guest.

She must be shy, Piya assumed.

“H-hello....” Siddharth stuck out the rose, squeezing his eyes shut. She was pretty, like a fairy. Mandu burst into giggles and plucked the flower from his hands. She scooped up Maithili in her arms before running back inside. Siddharth’s face was all red, cheeks puffed up.

Where did she go?

He turned all around, crossing his arms in a pout.

Devagya was about to scold him for such behavior, but Revati stopped him, in restrained laughter herself.

“Let it be, Devagya. They’re only children.”

The rest walked into the palace together. Siddharth couldn’t work up the courage to speak after that, and kept looking for Mandu inside, to the point where he was unaware that they were standing in the throne room and not paying attention to the king.

“Siddharth.” Devagya squeezed his shoulder, signaling him to bow. He did so quickly, and heard the jingles of anklets upon the balcony to his left.

Piya followed his eyes, finding Mandu and Maithili hand in hand, the former sticking her tongue out before anyone saw and she got disciplined for unbecoming etiquette. Siddharth opened his mouth and turned red, hiding his face behind his father’s back.

The teasing started there, and never seemed to end.

“They’re still like this, even after so long.”

Piya had seen much of this dynamic of their relationship, heartwarming to realize that such relationships can remain intact after so many years together.

“The bond of soulmates is the strongest there is. It can only be made stronger.”

——————————————————————

June 28th, 1703.

Soon Abhay was old enough to accompany them to the palace. He was less enthusiastic about going than Siddharth had been, interested more in reading by himself at home than walking to the palace. In his young mind, going there easily meant destroying the wonder and fantasy that surrounded it. Waving to the royal carriage, whenever it passed by their house, wouldn’t feel the same anymore.

Siddharth boasted miles about the place, telling him stories to keep his interest. It worked wonders.

The princesses were seated in one of the open studies, nearing the end of their calligraphy lessons. The teacher was an older gentleman, who frequently suffered from insomnia. As soon as they heard the front doors open, they took off, leaving the teacher asleep, to let him get some rest and the ink to dry. Not that they would be coming back.

Siddharth easily became friends with both girls, after getting over his initial embarrassment. Mandu loved pestering him. Maithili was more polite, and too enjoyed his company, overcoming her timidity and spending time with them on her own will.

Abhay was too engrossed with the palace walls than anything else in front of him. Siddharth nudged his shoulder, as Mandu approached.

“Is this your little brother?”

Abhay smiled with pride, exposing his dimples.

She never seen anyone with dimples before, and straight away poked them both with either index finger. It didn’t feel as different as she anticipated. And Abhay, he hated it whenever someone touched his face.

“Ow...” He faked a grimace, and rubbed his cheek.

What haven’t I done that before?, Piya thought.

He immediately turned red and looked away.

“What’s your name?”

He looked at her from the side, glancing down, and then opened his mouth.

“.....Abhayendra.” He mumbled.

Mandu looked at Siddharth in confusion.

“I thought you call him Abhay?”

He fired back immediately.

“Only my big brother has nickname privileges.”

Piya’s jaw dropped. He was sharp-tongued, even as a kid.

“To a princess even.....”, she murmured, shaking her head. “I could never.”

Maithili caught up with them, and didn’t say much, holding onto Mandu’s waist. She leaned up to her ears and whispered.

“Didi, who’s this?”

“This is Abhayendra. Siddharth’s little brother. Say hello.”

Maithili gave a small smile and waved, still hiding behind Mandu’s veil.

“You’re only a few months younger than him, did you know that?”

“Really?” She asked meekly. She looked at him from the side, as he tried to get a good look at her. She liked the color of his eyes. It reminded her of a frosty winter.

You and me both, Maithili...., Piya thought.

Piya drowned out the conversation, remembering one she had with him of recent. His ex-wife, his childhood sweetheart. Coupled with her own jealousy when she was around, it was possible, that Maithili was his first love.

“But he hates her now.” She said out loud.

Horatia confirmed it next.

“But he didn’t back then...”

It was just as he told her that night. As the scenes flew by, she saw their bond grow and grow to resemble something with they now shared. It wasn’t of her to feel jealousy towards someone who existed much before her, but she couldn’t help it.

Was she your soulmate, Abhay?

Then what did that mean for her? Where did Piya Jaiswal fit into all this?

They really did do everything together. The four of them, as a group, but Abhay enjoyed Maithili’s company the most. Poking fun at their older siblings, sneaking off together when no one was looking, and other things he had told Piya whilst remembering her.

There was just one he had missed.

Maithili had a special place, nearby the palace but within the forests that surrounded it. A meadow, home to many fireflies, dancing with light in the darkness. It was a habit of hers to sneak out late at night, just to see the spectacle. She took Abhay there one time, just before he had to leave.

“Isn’t it pretty?” She beamed, catching a few in her hands. The small fireflies sat in her palm, gently flickering.

Abhay couldn’t say much, nor could Piya. It really was beautiful. A scene from a fantasy novel. One firefly sat on his nose, startling him. It lifted off, and then landed there again, with Maithili bursting into a fit of giggles.

“They won’t hurt you.” She assured. Abhay tried to nod but didn’t want the glowing insect to fly off. Its warmth was comforting.

——————————————————————

March 15th, 1706.

In Abhay’s hands, he carried a brass container of laddoos. With their mother’s help, he prepared these for Maithili as a birthday gift. Well, all but two of them. Those two were laced with ungodly amounts of spice.

A simple prank, aimed at Siddharth simply because he was the older sibling, and Mandu because she had beaten him while play sword fighting. His lips curved up into a mischievous smirk. He added the red chili when Girija wasn’t looking.

Piya smacked her forehead.

The four sat in the gardens, overlooking the container in awe. He turned it so that the spicy ones were facing the victims of his prank and the sweet ones towards himself and Maithili.

“Happy birthday, princess.” He shyly said.

Maithili smiled wide.

“Did you make these?”

He nodded, and presented her one of the good ones.

Siddharth was hungry and reached next, but had his hand smacked away. He glared at Abhay.

“Hey—-“

Abhay took out two of the laced ones and gave it to both of them. Mandu took a bite as he reached for his own.

“These aren’t as bad as—-“

She stopped mid-sentence, covering her mouth and coughing. Siddharth shoved the whole thing in his mouth and instantly regretted it, grabbing Abhay’s ear.

“I’m telling Baba——“ He quickly chewed and swallowed it, hiding tears, bolting inside to tattle. Abhay ran after him.

“What happened? Mine tastes good.” Maithili said, reaching for another. She missed the entire thing, engrossed in the fact that he had made something for her. Mandu pulled her cheek and smiled.

“Nothing. Abhayendra just played a prank on us.”

It was the small moments that really showed Piya how he was back then. They almost seemed like two different people.

“Different from who you know, right?”

“Yeah.....it’s strange how I wouldn’t even know about all this were it not for you, Horatia.”

All of these moments, she could only know of it because Past was with her. If it weren’t for her, even her own memories would remain erased permanently.

“I feel lucky.”

“And he feels lucky to have you.”

But Piya also felt bad for him and Maithili, whatever it was that awaited their relationship. That separation that would eventually grow between the three and her.

“Let’s continue.”

It became night at an instant. While the celebrations concluded at the palace, someone departed for the forest. The new moon snatched all light from underneath the trees, obscuring all creatures from notice. Piya felt these parts of the forest to be familiar, most notably the lake that they now faced.

“This is the same lake you’re thinking of. The one he took you to after he hid you from Jeh.”

The roads, the buildings she was used to seeing around nearby this area, used to be nothing but nature.

At its edge stood two cloaked individuals, the same maroon color. They pulled off their hoods, revealing Yamini and Amba. Amba didn’t look too well. Sunken cheeks, bloodshot eyes, and frail limbs, like someone sucked the life out of her. She placed a cloth bundle in Yamini’s hands, shape resembling that of a book. She pulled it aside, touching the rigid patterns of the cover.

“My spell book....”

Amba coughed into her sleeve, cloth pulling back to reveal lashes criss-crossing her forearms. She adjusted it quickly. It was clear that she risked severe punishment being here.

“Maithili....she’ll be ten years of age tonight.”

Yamini nodded.

“Her powers will awaken in due time. Teach her all you can. And the runes, no one must see them. Not even your husband.”

“Don’t worry. I know what to do.”

She tucked the book within her cloak.

“Very well. I have to go now. And this might be the last you see of me.”

She knew.

“Take care...”

Piya instinctively thought to hide, but she stopped after realizing.

“Can they not hide those runes?”

“They can, but concentration is imperative, on top of being very painful. Both especially difficult for a young child. It’s only at night that they can be seen.”

Abhay’s words echoed in her mind.

Her mother used to lock her in her room every night.

“What happens now?”

“Lets follow Amba for a bit.”

She hadn’t gotten far from where they last were. Her weakness forced her to walk back, unable to withstand the force teleportation could wrack on her body. She chose the darkest portion of the forest to hide her figure.

“Do these Vitael have someplace to call home? Or do they wander?”

“In this time, the ones living here actually have a small kingdom of their own. But it is obscure to the others in the region. Little associations due to how they conduct themselves. There was opposition in Pandher when Indranuj married Yamini, but that has since died down.”

Amba shifted her sights left and right, a deep paranoia sucking away her mettle. She was certainly being watched. Piya heard some footsteps, and turned to the east to find two cloaked figures following her.

So fast.

They captured her at the sliver of border between the two kingdoms. This place, it reminded Piya of classical horror. A large spire, in place of a traditional palace, stood tall in the center of town. Every house was colored dark and looked to be born of the night. Everything blended in with each other.

“It’s so tall....” She said, looking up from the bottom.

Horatia spared them both the flights of spiraling steps, and took them straight to the top, where Amba kneeled before a throne. Their leader, sitting legs crossed and brandishing a dagger in one hand, stroked his beard and watched her take each and every painful breath. The dagger dropped with a rattle to the floor. She looked up and stared at the weapon, then him, not worried for her life anymore.

“What is the meaning of this?” She hissed weakly.

“Meaning, Amba? As if you aren’t aware of what you’ve been up to.”

The bearded man stood up and forced her head to the floor, knocking a blow to her skull.

“How dare you associate with the banished one?”

She hoped Yamini got away safely.

She’s my friend. How could I not associate?

“What are you going to do? Kill me?” She sneered. “Do it, if you have the guts.”

“I will. But first....”

He curled his finger at the archway behind him.

“Ayushmaan.”

Piya felt a chill up her spine, watching the boy, looking no older than 15, with that name step out of the dark. He had two different colored eyes, one bright green and one hazel.

“Recognize him?” Horatia asked.

“I....I feel like I should.”

She felt endangered, even if this was just a replay of history. Like watching a horror film.

“He is the one who threatened you the night you ran after his illusion of Abhay.”

Ayushmaan.

Up on the surface, he didn’t look as menacing. It wasn’t until he smiled that she could see it. That was no innocent smile.

“Yes, father?”

“Go to Pandher immediately, and keep an eye on her. There is something these two have been hiding.”

“Of course.” He bowed, and vanished from sight.

Horatia grabbed Piya’s hand, whisking them away back to the palace, just as Amba’s head was separated from her body, and heart torn from her chest. Piya saw it flash by, eyes wide in horror. Before she could process everything, they were back in Maithili’s room.

It wasn’t the birthday she was hoping to have.

She lurched forward on her knees, crying into a pillow from the burning pain the runes brought, as they inked themselves permanently into her skin. Piya reached to comfort her, but she couldn’t do anything.

So much was happening at the same time. This was not her place to interact with any of it. She gathered a fist and turned away, wishing she could help somehow.

“It’s no use, Piya.”

Maithili gnawed at the fabric, as didn’t want to make a sound. She was afraid of what explanation she would give, when she didn’t know what was happening herself. These kind of unexplainable changes, people would get accused of witchcraft for, and face exile. Or even death. The pain was great enough to make her vomit.

Don’t scream....

It hurt so much.

Piya could only watch her suffer, even if she wanted to help. History was history.

Yamini rushed in and immediately closed the doors behind her, expecting this to have happened. No one outside heard, thankfully.

“Maa.....” She gasped in pain, holding onto her with all her remaining strength.

“It’s okay, my child. It will be over soon.”

Her body shook with chills, feeling a heavy burden ease up as the night drew on. Her strength returned slowly. Yamini tucked her into bed, coaxing her to drink a potion she had crafted to ease the transition.

“Will those runes always hurt her after this?”

“Just when trying to hide them. They will always be seen after sunset if she doesn’t.”

A consequence that explained why she was locked in at night. It wouldn’t take much time for fear to spread should anyone see her like this.

The spellbook was thrust under the mattress, only to be pulled out for training after everyone had gone to bed. Yamini leaned over her sleeping form and whispered.

“Soon, Maithili, you’ll forget this pain. I’ll make you so powerful that this will be nothing in comparison.”

“Why show her concern now?” Piya stared in disgust.

“How else will she get Maithili to listen? She’s been craving some validation from her own mother for years now.”

She’s using her.

“She’s not the only one. In fact, I’d argue what she did was little to what someone else will do.”

Horatia pointed out the window, where Piya saw Ayushmaan standing outside, wearing that chilling smile. Yamini was just the spark, he was the entire fire.

“There’s a particular saying.....” Horatia began. “...that a child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.”

Piya could only dread its implications.

If you would like PMs and I didn’t send you one for this update, please like this message 😃

Originally posted by: MS-meghasharma

Amazing

thanks 😳