Title: Let me hold your heart in my trembling hands…
Author: kira
Rating: OT
Words: 500
Characters: Soma, Meena
Summary: Silly prince never guesses the depth of her feelings…
Warnings: none
888
"You are trembling," Soma said as he took her hand in his. He smiled at her as he gently pulled her to her feet. "Do not be afraid, Meena."
Heaving a long suffering sigh, Meena plastered a smile on her face. Looking up at him in a way she prayed he would not mistake for coy, she said, "I am not trembling, Prince Soma." Seething with anger over the numerous interruptions to my work, but trembling over your pathetic attempts to woo me…Do not make me laugh! You have no idea how I wish I could tell you "no" and not live to regret it… that's if I live… She sighed again.
"But you are, my sweet," he insisted, holding her hand up to prove his point.
She laughed, a soft little sound, as she briefly glanced at the washtub. It would be so easy to give into your advances… I know I could simply manipulate you into letting me live a life as full of leisure as your own… But what happens when you tire of me? My life will become worse! You wish in your conceit to think I am trembling with desire, then that's your own foolishness, my prince!
Catching her gaze, Soma saw the fire in it, and mistaking her anger for love, he kissed her palm. "My sweet Meena…"
Idiot! Her eyes flashed again, her whole body trembling with barely suppressed rage. Leave me alone!
"There is no need to tremble, my darling. I promise not to hurt you," Soma said huskily, leaning in to kiss her.
Meena turned her face away, and bringing her free hand up, she placed it between them in a vain attempt to stop his advances. "Please, Prince Soma, not here." Stop right now, before I end up losing my life over your stupidity!
"I know somewhere where no one will find us if that is what you are worried about." Soma smiled as he took both her hands in his. "The peacock tower; no one goes there anymore."
Meena closed her eyes and sighed when he brought her hands to his lips, kissing her knuckles. How can anyone be so stupid? I do not desire you! Not now, not ever! Do not make me tell you that! Trembling, she took a deep calming breath, desperately trying to quell her anger.
"Come, it's not that far."
"My work…?"
"Leave it. I will tell Lakshmi to do it for you."
"No! Please, you must not, I beg you!"
"Why not?"
"Because it will just cause trouble for me."
"Later?" he asked hopefully.
"Yes…" And with a bit of luck you will have forgotten this nonsense in favor of something else…
"Excellent!" Soma kissed her palm. "Until later…"
"Good-bye, Prince Soma." Trembling, she prayed he would not sense her relief.
"Bye!"
She watched him go, before she went back to her washing. Picking up one of his kurtas, she wrung the water out of it, imagining she was wringing his neck instead…