Meanwhile at the Pratap Singh mansion…
Yuvaan leaned back in his chair, still holding the book Angad had snatched and returned. His expression was calm… too calm. The sort of calm that came right before a storm of uncomfortable truths.
"The possibility of me and Kiara being together," he declared, "is less than five percent."
Angad blinked. "Five? Why five? Why so less?"
Yuvaan counted on his fingers, tone dry and almost bored:
"Firstly — she comes from a clan of witch hunters. The Reevavanshi. Their entire job description is kill beings like me."
Angad nodded slowly. "…valid."
"Secondly — I am the father of all evil." Yuvaan gestured at himself with half-hearted pride. "The Warlock King. Kaal's reincarnation. The literal nightmare parents warn children about."
"Hmm," Angad mumbled, "tiny issue, but continue."
"Thirdly — I'm indirectly the reason her mother died."
A shadow crossed his eyes, but he brushed it away like dust.
"Fourthly — I forced her into marrying me."
Angad winced. "Yeah, that one is rough."
"Fifthly — she's in constant danger because of me. Every day is a new episode of 'Who wants to kill Kiara and claim the warlock king?'"
"And her father and brother?" Angad asked.
Yuvaan let out a humourless laugh. "They don't like me because they think I'm a threat to their clan."
Angad raised a brow. "Are you really a threat though?"
Yuvaan considered it for a moment, shrugged, and said in a flat tone,
"For six lifetimes I've pursued one thing — power."
He closed the book dramatically.
"Now, in the seventh…"
He stretched his arms lazily and smirked.
"Let me take a break."
Angad stared at him.
Then sighed. "Bhagwan, brother… your love story is more complicated than my math textbooks."
Yuvaan smirked. "Correction — it's more complicated than your brain."
Angad: "HEY!"
Meanwhile, deep inside the spinning forest…
Kiara stared wide-eyed as the soil in front of her cracked open with a violent shudder. A hand — stone-skinned, claw-tipped, ancient — erupted from the ground.
Kiara jumped back.
"A-arey! What kind of forest is this?!"
Before she could run, the earth split wider and a towering Forest Earth Yakshini rose out of the ground, roots wrapped around her limbs like ancient jewelry, eyes glowing a deep mossy gold.
Kiara gulped, pasted on the most nervous smile of her life, and whispered:
"G-good day, ma'am…?"
The Yakshini tilted her head sharply, her movements too fluid for something born of earth. In the blink of an eye, she lurched forward, her face inches from Kiara's.
Kiara yelped, stumbling back. "Aiee! Personal space! PERSONAL SPACE!"
The Yakshini sniffed her, her voice low, ancient, and accusing:
"So you are the one…
The one for whom our king has gone astray."
Kiara froze. "King? Wait— who? Yuvaan? He— what— astray??"
Ignoring her, the Yakshini circled her like a predator studying unworthy prey.
"What is so special about you, human girl?
I see nothing divine.
Nothing powerful.
Not even a trained Reeva hunter."
Kiara blinked, offended and terrified.
"Excuse me, ma'am Yakshini, with due respect— why is everyone in Yuvaan's kingdom obsessed with my résumé?!"
The Yakshini stopped, eyes narrowing.
"You are ordinary. Fragile. Mortal.
A misstep in fate's design.
Yet our king— the shadows bow to him—
He bends toward YOU."
Kiara whispered under her breath, "Wow. Love is really dangerous out here…"
The forest rumbled as if agreeing.
Pratap Singh Mansion – Yuvaan's Study
Yuvaan sat slouched on the sofa, arms folded, eyes narrowed at the ceiling as if the universe itself was irritating him.
Angad stood with his hands on his hips.
"Bhai… you're acting weird again."
Yuvaan exhaled dramatically.
"I'm thinking."
Angad gasped. "That's dangerous already."
Yuvaan glared. "Shut up."
Angad plopped onto the opposite chair. "Okay, think about what?"
Yuvaan stared at the floor, voice low but steady.
"Even if Kiara agrees to… build something between us… it will be dangerous for her."
A pause.
"I've been thinking… maybe I should just end things. Set her free."
Angad's eyes widened.
"What?! No! Absolutely not! Don't be stupid—"
"She will always be in danger because of me," Yuvaan continued, voice still emotionless. "Taamsi, the daayan clans, the shadow beasts, the entire realm… my name attracts destruction. If I let her walk away, she'll be safe."
Angad looked at him carefully.
"Mmhmm. Fine. Very noble. I understand."
Then he leaned forward.
"Except… answer me one thing. Do you feel anything for Kiara?"
A flicker crossed Yuvaan's face.
Angad pressed. "Don't lie."
Suddenly — like an involuntary reflex — a memory hit Yuvaan.
Kiara slipping on the wet marble… Yuvaan grabbing her waist…
Her hair brushing his cheek…
That split second where her heartbeat raced against his palm…
Yuvaan cleared his throat harshly and looked away.
"She's… fine."
A beat.
"…Fine-fine. Unlike other girls. Less annoying."
Angad smirked.
"Hmmm. 'Fine-fine,' 'unlike other girls,' 'less annoying'… Yuvaan, in your language that means you're in danger."
Yuvaan growled, "Shut. Up."
Angad crossed his arms.
"Then if you can protect her from every danger… why end the most unique relationship you've ever had?"
Before Yuvaan could answer—
CAW. CAW. CAW.
Black crows gathered at the study window, tapping urgently, their eyes glowing an unnatural midnight blue.
Yuvaan's gaze sharpened.
Angad stepped back, startled. "Uh… bhai… your… birds are back."
Yuvaan stood slowly, expression shifting into that dark, unbothered, villainous smirk.
"Well, well."
He rolled his neck.
"Talking about danger…"
A crow screeched louder.
Yuvaan buttoned his black coat, flicked his hair back, and smirked.
"…seems like a new episode has begun."
His eyes glowed.
"And I must make my dramatic entry."
He walked past Angad, aura turning cold and kingly.
Angad shouted behind him, "At least check what kind of danger it is!"
But Yuvaan was already gone.