Chapter 33

Ishwari's hair blew all around her face as the gusts of wind created by Pagan's helicopter roared above the landing zone. It had been almost two weeks since Pagan was sent off to India after his injury. She was beginning to believe the doctors would never release him from the hospital and she had grown impatient waiting for his return. She looked down at AJay who was giggling at the air that was blowing him backwards. He too had become eager to see Pagan again. She had almost been bothered by the number of times he had asked "When is daddy coming home?" throughout the past week.

Finally, the helicopter landed in its designated spot. Ishwari and her son waited for the blades to cease spinning. She only knew it was safe to approach the aircraft when Pavel started walking towards it. She decided to follow the guard, all the while still holding onto her child's small hand. She saw another guard exit from the front of the cockpit and proceed to the backdoor. He opened the sliding metal and there was her king, already standing, anxious to jump down from the large machine.

He smiled when he saw the woman he loved along with the boy he called his son. Ishwari was grateful that he improved notably since the last time she had seen him, but she could still tell he hadn't fully recovered. It was something about the look in his eyes that told her he was still in pain. Pavel and the other guard each offered Pagan their hands in attempt to help him down from the three-foot drop.

"Oh, don't treat me like I'm crippled. I can manage myself." Pagan told the men in an irritable tone.

"Pagan, please let them help you." Ishwari asked him nicely, not wanting him to cause any further harm to himself.

The king pursed his lips, knowing that he's never had the strength to tell her no. Letting out a sigh, he agreed to Ishwari's request and accepted the help that was being offered to him. With his feet finally back on solid ground he began walking towards Ishwari, wrapping his arms around her, hugging her tightly.

"God I've missed you." He said before placing a kiss on her lips. He looked down at Ajay. "I've missed you too young prince!" He smiled, reaching down to pick the boy up.

Ishwari quickly grabbed Pagan's arm, preventing him from lifting Ajay off the ground. "Don't even think about it. The doctors told you to take it easy the next couple weeks. That includes you refraining from picking up a thirty-pound child."

Pagan furrowed his brow. "Fine... but don't try to stop me from holding my daughter." He began walking towards the entrance of the palace. "Now I know how you felt all those times I was protective of you."

Ishwari smiled as she followed behind him. It was nice to have him back home. Pagan immediately made his way to his daughter's location after Ishwari informed him what room she was in. One would had thought he hadn't seen his princess in months the way he picked her up, full of joy.

"I've missed you sweetheart." He smiled as he nuzzled his face against her soft cheek. "Daddy's not going anywhere for a while. You'll be with me everyday."

Ishwari chuckled. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're pleased about the doctor's orders."

Pagan gave her a grin. "I've been ordered to take it easy, which is something I rarely do anymore." He walked towards Ishwari and kissed her. "Of course I'm pleased. I get to relax for the next month and spend time with the three most important people in my life. You, Ajay, and Lakshmana." He then turned to Shanna, whom had been watching Lakshmana moments before he arrived. "Why don't you take a break Shanna. You and Ishwari go enjoy some lunch. I need to spend some time with my children."

"O..oh... are you sure King Min?" Shanna stuttered.

"Of course. Just as I enjoy alone time with Ishwari. She enjoys alone time with you. You are her best friend after all." Ishwari blushed as Shanna turned to look at her. A result of Pagan's comment. "Go. I've got this covered." He smiled.

Ishwari nodded. "Okay, but I better not find out you were picking Ajay up."

"As you wish dear." Pagan smiled.

Ishwari and Shanna sat at the dining table, with plates full of food in front of them. It was nice to actually be able to enjoy a meal with her friend without having to worry about the children. Not having Pagan around for the past two weeks had stressed Ishwari out more than she'd like. His presence provided relief, not just for her, but for Ajay and Lakshmana as well. They seemed to be less irritable when they knew their father was close by.

"I'm grateful for the break King Min is offering me, but I hope he lets me take over again after we finish lunch." Shanna's words pulled Ishwari from her thoughts as she looked up at her friend. "You two deserve some alone time as well. You haven't seen each other in weeks."

Ishwari smiled at her friend's thoughtful words. She was so lucky to have someone like Shanna in her life. "I'm sure he'd appreciate that." Ishwari took another bite of her food before speaking once more. "We have to keep a close eye on him, I know how he is. He'll try to do more than he's supposed to. He hates the thought of being weak."

"You two have such a sweet relationship. You look after him and he looks after you." Shanna took a moment to sip on the glass of tea she had. "I actually wanted to ask you about that guard that King Min assigned to watch over you."

"Pavel?" Ishwari asked, curious about Shanna's question.

Shanna moved food around on her plate using her fork, the subject making her nervous. "I was wondering if he was single."

Ishwari grinned, now knowing why Shanna was intrigued with her new bodyguard. "You like him, don't you."

Shanna couldn't help but smile at Ishwari's accusation. "He's cute."

"I'm going to set you two up on a date." Ishwari laughed.

"Do you think he'd be interested?" Shanna asked, hopeful.

"He'd be crazy to say no." Ishwari smiled.

They enjoyed the rest of their meal discussing the possibility of Pavel being interested in the set up they were planning. Eventually they made their way back to Pagan and the children to find all three asleep, with Ajay curled up on the floor and Pagan in a chair, still holding Lakshmana in one hand and a children's book in the other. Ishwari smiled at her snoozing family before she placed a hand on Pagan's shoulder, gently shaking him.

He slowly opened his eyes, glancing up at her, letting out a small yawn. "I must have been more exhausted than I realized."

Ishwari chuckled. "Shanna said she'd gladly take over again if you'd like to go take a nap. I'll join you."

Pagan smiled. "That sounds like a wonderful idea."

Reluctantly, he handed his sleeping daughter to Shanna before accepting Ishwari's hand, who helped him up out of the chair. They walked down the hall towards the king's chambers and Ishwari glanced over at Pagan, who didn't even notice her watching him. She could tell he had something on his mind from the way he was emotionally distanced and the pained look he had in his eyes. The same look she saw earlier when he first arrived.

They stepped into the office and he shut the door behind them. Instantly Pagan grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her to him, resting his back against the golden doors. He embraced her tight, burying his face in her hair. Ishwari gently wrapped her arms around his waist, not wanting to put too much pressure on his injury. No words were spoken as they enjoyed each other's comfort, a comfort that had almost permanently been taken away from them.

After a while, Ishwari spoke. "Pagan?"

Pagan took a deep breath before releasing his grip. He pulled himself away from her and looked into her eyes, still not speaking. Through his glare, Ishwari noticed his eyes had begun to water as if he were fighting back tears. "What's wrong." Ishwari asked.

"I'm glad the bullet hit me and not you." He admitted. "I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything happened to you because of me."

"Pagan, what happened..., that wasn't your fault."

"It was my fault Ishwari. My actions have made so many people despise me. If anything had happened to you..." He didn't bother finishing his sentence as he pulled her in once more, holding her close. "I don't want to experience anything like that again."

He once again eased his grip on her and she moved her lips to his, gently kissing him, this time more attentively than when he had first arrived. She slowly ran her hand from his back towards his front, placing her hand on the location of his wound. She felt him tense at her touch. "Does it still hurt?" she asked, afraid she had hurt him.

He shook his head. "Not much."

"May I see it?" she asked. He hesitantly nodded before she began unbuttoning his shirt. She couldn't understand why he still continued to dress in a formal manner, even though he was going through recovery. Opening his shirt to reveal his abdomen, she instantly noticed the white gauze pad, taped over his injury. She slowly peeled it off of him and exposed the wound. It was almost completely healed, though clearly noticeable.

"It's going to leave a scar." She informed him. She knelt down and placed a kiss on the area.

He lightly brushed her hair from her face and ran his hand under her chin, causing her to look up at him. "I'm glad. It'll remind me of what I almost lost that day."

They smiled at each other before deciding it was time for a much-needed nap. Ishwari held onto his hand as they walked towards the bedroom. "Oh, by the way. We have to set up a romantic date for Shanna and Pavel." she winked at her king.

Pagan simply chuckled as he shut the door behind them.