Beast and his Fair Maiden

The Welcome

Frankly, Jwala was intimidated, as she entered the walkway towards the main gate of the palace , people were bowing on both sides.

Agni was walking in front of her, here she could see Agni Barhi, Maharaj of Jwalana, He walked with pride, as a lion walked in his jungle ,it might be the first time Jwala was walking with her head down because of the sheer grandeur of the palace, she felt like an imposter walking here.

suddenly she felt something on her head, they were being showered with rose petals

Wow!

Jwala twirled, it was the first time she was getting such a warm welcome

Agni turned ,after hearing a squeak of surprise , Jwala was twirling there, prettily, he could see the awe in her eyes, was she so happy with shower of rose petals?

"STOP! " who had ordered them to prepare it! He had made clear to his servants that this wedding was only for show, a way for him to bring Jwala in his clutches.

Immediately Aftab came running

"Welcome Maharaj and Maharani " he bowed respectfully

"Who ordered you to do all this? " He heard Jwala's indrawn breadth, was she expecting him to do all this?

"Brother! Welcome! " There his culprits were standing framed near the entrance of the palace

"Why are you'll here? Go back to your kingdoms! "

"Now, now brother, that is very rude of you, we are here to welcome you'll, someone should be home to welcome the new bride! " Salil said in benevolent tone

"I can take care of My Queen on my own! "

"It does not seem so brother! " Salil turned towards Jwala "Jwala are you alright? you look tired "

"You will not call her by her name! "

"I don't mind" Jwala piped up

"Yes! she does"

"Look she doesn't! "

"I really don't, afterall he is your favorite brother" Jwala murmured under her breadth, while making it perfectly audible to her curious audience

Salil, Vayu and Puhumi laughed

"I like her! " Salil said with a grin

"You are not allowed to like your sister in law! " Agni said while stressing on sister in law, my god with the amount of objections he had made, it would seem as if he was really, deeply in love with Jwala

"Enough now brothers let me welcome sister in law " Puhumi smiled at Jwala

"You have to stand next to her brother"

Agni reluctantly, moved to the right making way for Jwala to stand beside him

Puhumi grinned, she happily welcomed them by Moving around them with Fire in her hand in a Golden bowl

Then she sprinkled flowers on them

"Welcome sister in law! " Puhumi came forward and hugged her, Jwala hugged her back

As they entered the palace, Jwala was in awe!

The palace was grand, it was made of gold, there were red curtains near the windows, the floor they were walking on was soo polished that one could see their reflection in it

Ceiling was dome in shape, there were beautiful dragons carved, which were breathing fire, they were so life like that it seemed that any moment they would come to life.

Agni was looking at Jwala's expression as they were walking, she had such wonder on her face, her eyes were dancing with joy as she looked around herself

"You seem to appreciate the wealth surrounding you! " Agni whispered in Jwala's ear

And Jwala jumped, one thing Jwala could not tolerate was someone whispering in her ears, it was very ticklish and it made her ears red

Before Jwala could give a befitting reply to Agni's mockery, Salil spoke up

"Ahh brother! Jwala seems very uncomfortable with you! "

"You! you better -"

"Enough now, lets show the newly weds to their chamber! " Vayu intervened, as it seemed Agni was about to throw Maharaj of Hauz, physically out of his palace.

Puhumi led the way for them, as they were walking behind her

Jwala thought, that they would be staying separately, afterall they did not like each other much, to put it lightly.

"Don't we have separate chambers? " Jwala whispered to Agni as they were walking, while Agni just grinned.

***

"Do you think he had told her? " Salil asked Vayu, as they retired to the dining hall, to share a glass of Brandy.

"It does not seem so, she is still naive "

"But he seems to care for her in his own twisted way"

"And who made him so twisted? " Maharaj of Prana mocked

"Should we help him? "

"Well it seems you are doing a great job instigating him soo far"

"Always a pleasure! " Salil bowed.

"What are you guys talking about? " Puhumi joined them

"Not for kids! " Vayu said as he affectionately patted her head

"Hey! I am not a kid I am a Maharani! Maharani of Vasundra! "

"Did you show them to their Chambers? "

"Yes! Though Jwala looked that she would take flight any moment "

Salil laughed, Vayu just grinned

"Now this is fun! " Salil Neer said enthusiastically

"Let's have some more fun shall we? "

"What are you going to do? " Puhumi asked

"Well now sister if I tell you already, how will that be fun"

"Now Brother, you should leave them alone, let them understand each other on their own! " Vayu said sagely

"Stop with your tone! It gives me creeps! "

Vayu just grinned.