The scene, somewhat, did not scare him but dread panic within her eyes. His hands found her cheeks and he placed a soft soothing kiss on her forehead. "Relax, Angel. Everything is all right. Don't worry I'll be back in a minute."
"Have you gone crazy? No need to pull any stunt already. You might get into trouble. Stay where your body is, Am I clear?"
Please. she requested mentally.
His eyes met hers after a glance outside, "There's no room for ignorance, I need to look up to that. All you have to do is stay inside and quit arguing. Plus,your protection—"
"To hell with protection," She yelled, taking a sharp intake of breath. Every curve of her body shrieked with fear. She closed her eyes and let out an exhaust breadth at his I-need-you-to-understand-the-circumstance look, "Okay," She licked her lips, leaning back into the seat. "I'll come with you, too."
Examining the stubbornness, he opened his mouth to say clear 'no' but she blurted, "Accept it or head back to the Palace. Animals might harm you. I'm never gonna take risks with your life or mine."
Animals.
Zoophobia — Fear of the cutest yet most dangerous creatures.
"Animals won't hurt me, nor even you, angel. I need to protect him otherwise—"
In a richly annoyed tone, "listening to me or not?"
Having no other option left, his head moved in an affirmative gesture.
The least he could do was now take care of everything around him which he would.
Making sure not to disrupt the dancing silence around the forest, Vansh leaped down from the car, intertwining her shaking hands with his. A few meters ahead of them, laying in a stricken position was a calf stuck in a ditch, fighting for its existence. The ditch wasn't too deep,so there were chances if helped out externally, this poor creature would be safe.
It was unfortunate or something, a tiger with glinting eyes, a powerful chest, and soft soundless paws rushed past him, making it difficult for the calf to come out and escape away. If the calf dwelled longer, the goddess of death would greet him and if somehow with others'support, come on the greenery ground for keeping up the greed of existence, the beast above him would eat him alive. Even the wind which was naturally powerful and free was frightened of the murderous beast.The slow walking of the tiger might be for one reason: His prey was bruised enough to remain stone froze.
The written death of the poor creature was anything but delayed.
Not before his eyes, though.
It would be a disgrace if he failed to save the life of someone whose eyes cry out for salvation.
"Vansh"
"Sh...silence," he ordered, shoving his left hand against her mouth, pressing until she whined in his arm. Upon realizing it, his face contorted an apologizing look and he softly pulled his hand back as she squinted stone cold glare up at him. "We can't take risk of diverting its attention to us."
She nodded and frowned at that hungry tiger – ready to pounce. The reason for holding back was the tiger knew clearly if it jumped, it'll end up in a serious injury zone or perhaps, brutal death in lack of food and water if none help him out. As a human being—Angel, wanted them healthy. "How we're gonna save the calf then?"
With his growing signature smirk, and a look of concern, he pulled his gun out of his pants, "It might be helpful."
"How idiot of you to think the tiger would be scared of 5 ACP," Riddhima whined in annoyance, tearing persistent gaze out of the animals. She almost shouted as the impression of what-could-he-do-with-gun flashed before her eyes. "You're planning to take the life of that bloody tiger to protect a fragile one? Kill one to save another- Is that how your theories go?"
His jaw dropped and a deep frown twisted across his face. The gun was mere mean he was up to use for scaring ambition, opposite of what she was expecting. The killing was, as it seemed, not easy for people; For devilish mind it was. A gentleman could never. Waves of disappointment engulfed his brain, Riddhima thought so low of him. Lots of things were up she needed to learn thoroughly before judging him.
"This equipment is mere medium to scare it away, Riddhima Salvatore."
Riddhima frowned. She seemed to dislike his way. "Of course, it might, not sure though. Are you?"
As if I have another option. I'm not an angel or supernatural creature, or whatever you say, sweetheart. Besides knowing you're scared of animals is good for nothing. How on the Angebotain I would be able to save it if didn't use this plan?
Vansh nodded, panicking a little. Rolling his eye over the ditch, his lips twitched. Despite the bitter reality, as it were, Riddhima had a point. The bullet might scare him if he wasn't aiming for hurting the tiger itself. After the shot, the chances of him coming never approached zero chances were 90 percent of his unwanted appearance. Right then,an idea danced over his psyche and a smirk took over his panicked twitch. "Okay, in that case, I must need your help, let me be more clear, magic to form a protective layer of all our qualms. It could do some wonders."
Stupid idea ever.
"Ugh, I hate that smug look on your face, erase it and listen; I can't even look at either, throwing a helping hand is beyond the question. Plus, magic is still naive to me. So, I am not in."
His smirk crept up forming a heart-winning smile upon his lips. Her soul was full of magic things, all she have to do was patiently manipulate in mind. She could do anything— People could do anything. They can be anything with their stone willpower and hard work.
"Not asking anything much which you're scared of. Just configure a shield of ice around the tiger." She opened her mouth a little, then shut it up as he warned, "Don't."
Little did she know from his your-no-isn't-going-work-on-me look and the rest of her curious part snapped shut as he mouthed. Another part, albeit, still warned regarding this use-magic shit. She should have enough energy and devilishness to hear it out. She had not. Nor did she want.
Can I do that?
'Nope, You know,magic isn't something you can compose with perfection— or with little typos either. Besides you're scared of them. What if instead of ice, you create a cave of fire under the influence of fear? The little thing will die only because of you, won't it?' Her inner self reminded and Riddhima has to admit none of it was incorrect. For five days, she was gathering awareness on how to use this magical knowledge but not connecting it to practical surroundings in the hope 'all people would throw her out, if not found their suitable promising Queen who could protect them.
—Her little trick went wrong.
Albeit, the charms, and learnings were dancing a butterfly dance over her mind but theories and practicals are far different. Without practice, attempting success was not possible, anyhow. No one could solve mathematical problems in exams if have mastery of formulas and theories but practice them. All one learns by practice. Over and over again in the face of all obstacles. Each day. The principle was as simple as that- No practice no good result.
"Ginelle, it's not that hard, at least not for an angle of 16—" he paused, biting his stupid tongue, and glanced at Riddhima who cast him a curious look. Now was not the time to let her be aware of the matter of his consciousness when it comes to his love. "You think very low of your power. Magic isn't knowing spells or potions and executing them over something but how active your mind is, decides how much of it you know. You can do it," Vansh assured, changing the topic all along. "Concentrate over there and let the magic begin."
"Don't-"Riddhima stopped him, glancing down at the ground. "-expect anything great from me. Without the proper knowledge, even experts can't gain attainments, no matter how brilliant they are in their familiar fields." Riddhima took a deep exhale as she took in the dangerous sight of the animal. "I'll give it a try, but don't blame me if anything bad occurs."
"I promise."
Being aware of fear is nothing genius, everybody has. The skill of overcoming it in the best daring possible manner is the actual one that describes the genius level of an individual,Her father's words ranged through her soul. And then, there was no turning back.
Riddhima closed her eyes and as said, stopped other activities rushing in her brain and concentrated on the thought of creating a cage around the tiger. Her mind responded quickly and glistening rays of light ambled through her heart which went straight to the tiger, creating the light bluish frost cage on his body.
"I'm fucking proud of you," Vansh smiled widely. At this moment, Riddhima believed, his words were not so necessary, the glimmer of his eyes said it all.
Riddhima refrained from commenting anything because the unforgotten fear sparkled in her soul again which went unnoticed when she was having a conservation with him— instead stood there due to her zoophobia. The fear was not by birth but it occurred a few months back and tightened its grip around her mind. She was strong, determined, and weak, too.
Broking the thoughts off, she gazed at Vansh and a smile touched her lips, too when with his help of him, the calf reached up at the forest ground.
The scene was surreal: Vansh hugging and smooching its— correction, her face which she accepted in mirth and showed the same adoration to her life savior.
"Look at you, Vansh. I can imagine the love you have for it. Normally you don't show your emotions. How lucky this calf is!"
He chuckled, meanwhile, let go of the hold of the little calf who then run away, might to her mother, and glanced up at her smiling face, shining on his aura as he averted his off the calf. "Animals are selfless creatures created in the world," he said. "Give them love they'll die for you if needed. They are agreeable friends, they ask no questions. Show no hate. Throw no useless criticism. Teach unconditional love."
"Couldn't agree more." Her smile faded then and she frowned, "They are so sweet but god knows what makes them angry with me. I'm neither cute nor adorable perhaps that's the reason. Guess what, for them I am satan—"
It was the sad addiction of Riddhima that compelled him to approach a mocking tone. When she would get to learn how much preciousness her soul holds? "Says the angel herself."
"Arghh"
"What the actual hell is going on in my forest?" The disturbing voice tore their attention.
Riddhima blinked at the deep intense voice which for the first time in Angebotain scared a bit and glanced at the ruthless— as she heard from one of her maids— hybrid king brimming under the veneer of shallow features, not alone though. As she noticed the figure hiding behind Chris Evans, in a stride or two, came into their vision; Elena. What the hell was she doing with him?
Her lips trembled, realizing Elena's effect over Vansh and she glanced back at him and noticed his clenched jaw and tightened fist which was fighting their own to grab the hold of her sister's neck and send her upward to hell. Riddhima squeezed his hand, attaching with hers, and found him cooling a little– just a little.
"Mr. Evans, Sorry but there was a wounded calf under the ditch, and the fact this forest was yours never stopped me to help this poor creature."
"Mr. Raisinghania I'm impressed with the skill of your fallacies." His fake smile faded as anger marred his features. He pointed finger toward the statue of the tiger who went unnoticed as their attentions focused on the calf and then on Chris, Elena, and others joining them. "Will you like to embellish for what reason this tiger is surrounded by frost? Didn't you pity this poor creature or your whole love and attention is only for that calf?"
"Well, its life is the least of your concern, and don't worry this tiger is safe and alive."
"We are not fools, at least not as much you assume of us. Can't we see your bloody ambitions? You both are here to kill these animals in our absence." commented Elena, grinning through her charms. "You're a cunt, Vansh to think so idiot of us."
A sarcastic smile touched his lips. "Better than you though, you bitch." He received hard glares from both of them as he let his profanity out and chuckled, his crossed arms when unfastened pushed inside his pockets. "Not everyone is greedy like you so relax our intentions are as pure as water."
The amusement dancing in his eyes reached its peak as Elena threw him a glare, just as he assumed.
"Why did you come here in the first place itself, Princess?" Asked in a sweet coated voice Chris, deepening his stares at Riddhima.
Saying Riddhima was confused was underestimating nonetheless Riddhima replied, "Mr. Evans—"
"Chris, please."
"Chris, I have no idea of the tension running in the midst of you and Vansh. Perhaps it's because you're a hybrid and is willing to suck his blood off when—" Chris frowned and Vansh chuckled. In abrupt, Riddhima licked her lips dry. "—I mean. Hey, I didn't wish to offend you I just—"
"Relax I'm not mad at you."
"The truth is Vansh is stating the obvious as you can see through the environment and I expect you to trust him."
Chris smirked, "Crown Princess, I'm not getting the memory of asking this and humans aren't worthy of trust." The disappointment in his voice was apparent. "So, trusting him in the first seems ridiculous but I believe you."
"She is trustable until she is far from his presence." Elena mocked eyeing Vansh only to receive the equivalent of hatred in his glimpse.
"Quite suit for you. So better be away from her if you don't wanna die because I swear to god if you ever have the ambition of harming her I'll—"
"Pathetic humans like you have the audacity of speaking in this tone? We all know I would have died years ago if you were capable of executing this bullshit."
Chris and Riddhima rolled their eyes as they began blaming, cursing, and accusing each other.
"Quite quarreling. This is my forest, not your bedroom where you can claim, scream and tear each other's flesh as though of horny rabbits."
In amusement, Riddhima giggled at irritated Chris's choice of words but sealed her lips tight when their heated glance came to her notice and mentally slapped herself for showing this sort of immaturity.
She should be offended and felt jealous though but gladly she wasn't.
And she knew the reason–Vansh was hers. Only hers.
"You literally are a piece of work, love." Chris chuckled under his breath but to her advantage, Riddhima was able to eavesdrop on him.
"Stop flirting with her. Will you?" Vansh commented in an annoyed tone.
"Well, he wasn't," Elena remarked, covering the distance between the two and stopping as they were an inch apart from grabbing each other's throat. The tension was high. "And even if he did, it's none of your business."
"Everything related to Riddhima is my business. Only mine and no one els—"
"Why?"
His tight fist loosened immediately as the question tore apart from Elena's lips and his eyes found Riddhima's eyeing him in the exact questioning tone. Vansh brushed his fingers over head and looked down in an attempt to hide his frustrated ragged breath. In no way, he could answer her at least not in front of Elena and Chris. At this moment, the ground seemed more intriguing. It was.
"Answer me, Vansh. Why does this woman matter to you when you have no said relation with her? How come this woman was touching and kissing you in the car?"
Surprise filled in Riansh's brain and two heard her laugh, "What? Don't act innocent when you two are not. I know each and everything of Ginelle. She's my fucking sister. How dare you touch my little girl? How?"
"Your little girl is a monster."
A profound voice came from behind, knocking over their breaths. Elena and Chris said nothing and Riddhima was too shocked by Elena's confession that cursing the owner was the last thing she wanted to do tonight.
Vansh let out a mocked laugh. "Who says? The monster himself? Not bad."
"The reason you're fucking alive after speaking against Crown Princess is I'm not fond of showing her innocent eyes your death. But if this ever happens again I'll never hesitate to do otherwise.
"Too much respect for this naive-looking princess?" Sam scowled. "She's not worth it. Jeez, can't you see this innocence is a mask for evilness? It was she who killed Igor and would have snatched this poor tiger's, too if we haven't shown up at the right moment."
What the hell? I can't even kill mosquitos and this bastard is claiming I have killed a man. A fucking Man. This is... ridiculous. The thought kissed Ginelle's brain.
"Killed Igor? Who?"
Vansh tensed at the question and heaved a breath as she gazed at him questioningly with so much innocence.
How in the world was he going to say she- The Angel killed someone's life whose mistake was almost nothing because he was doing as he was instructed, be it to kidnap her or worse rape.
And his death was worth it. Vansh could never regret of. But it was not him. It was Riddhima. And her reaction.
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To be continued...