Deep Inside the Spinning Forest
The Yakshini's bark-textured fingers curled as she perched on a thick branch, her hair made of woven vines swaying like serpents.
"You must be eliminated," she declared coldly, eyes glowing moss-green. "For our king has forgotten his destiny because of you."
Kiara threw her hands up helplessly.
"You don't even know me! And—excuse me—I definitely don't know you! So why am I getting eliminated before introductions?!"
The Yakshini hissed, unimpressed.
"You are a distraction. A human. A Reevavanshi."
Her voice sharpened like a blade.
"Your death is inevitable."
Before Kiara could make another sarcastic comeback, thick roots erupted from the ground, snapping around her wrists and ankles, yanking her back against a tree trunk.
"Seriously?!" Kiara struggled. "Every supernatural being I meet wants to kidnap or kill me. No originality whatsoever!"
The Yakshini lifted both arms.
Sharp-edged stones rose into the air, swirling around her like a deadly halo.
Kiara's breath hitched.
If these hit… she wouldn't get a second chance.
She whispered, barely audible—
"Yuvaan…"
The Yakshini thrust her hands forward.
The stones shot toward Kiara—
—and stopped. Mid-air. Frozen. Completely still.
Kiara's eyes widened. "Did someone… press a pause button?"
A hush fell over the forest.
The Yakshini's expression changed instantly, panic flickering across her eyes. She sensed it—
A power that made even the ancient trees bow.
A voice echoed through the trees:
"Looks like the remote is in my control, then."
The forest wind shifted.
Black mist curled along the ground as Yuvaan stepped out of the trees, every stride slow, deliberate, dripping with villainous royalty. His long, shoulder-length hair whipped back as a dramatic gust of wind welcomed him.
He walked like he owned the forest.
Correction—
like he owned every living thing inside it.
Kiara blinked up at him, heart flipping inside her chest.
"My devil in a shining armor," she breathed.
Yuvaan arched one eyebrow, smirking darkly as the stones cracked mid-air under his aura.
"Well," he drawled, eyes flicking from Kiara to the trembling Yakshini, "someone has to clean up the mess you keep attracting."
The Yakshini bowed instinctively, voice trembling.
"My—my king—"
Yuvaan didn't even look at her.
"You threatened what's mine."
His tone dipped, dangerously soft.
"My sins are many…"
His eyes glowed black.
"…but harming her will be your last."
---
With a casual snap of his fingers, the levitating rocks dissolved into nothingness. Kiara stumbled forward, finally free, her heart hammering in her chest. She shot toward Yuvaan, grabbing his arm for support.
"Wifey," Yuvaan said, voice darkly amused, a faint smirk tugging at his lips, "you attract trouble far too frequently."
Kiara huffed, brushing leaves from her gown. "Oh, oh! I'm only in danger because you married me!"
The Yakshini hovered above, wings flickering like shadows in the dim forest light. Her yellow eyes glowed as she hissed, "Kaal… remember who you are! Your kingdom, your purpose… darkness flows in your veins! You are the father of evil! You should not waste your power on a human distraction!"
Yuvaan's crimson eyes met hers, amused, almost bored. "Ah, I see. You're here to remind me of my duty. Very touching… but misplaced."
Kiara peeked nervously at the Yakshini, her voice a mix of fear and defiance. "I-I'm not that distraction! I'm… I'm just… me!"
The Yakshini's wings beat faster. "You are the temptation that could unravel his reign! You are from the enemy clan! Your death is inevitable if he remembers his path!"
Yuvaan yawned, stretching languidly. "This is… really boring. You keep saying I'm your king, the father of all evil… then why are you attacking your mother?"
Kiara blinked. "Whose mother? I'm not anyone's mother! Especially not those… whatever-you-are creatures!"
The Yakshini hissed again, her claws flexing. "Do not mock your king, human. You distract him from his destiny!"
Yuvaan smirked, voice low and teasing. "Daddy doesn't get very happy when his kids become mischievous. Now… get lost."
With a snap of his fingers, the Yakshini was sent hurtling into the ground, the earth shaking slightly on impact.
Kiara whipped off her sandals, frustration and fear mingling as she smacked Yuvaan's shoulder.
"Ouch!" he exclaimed, more amused than hurt. "Did that Yakshini eat your brain, or have you totally lost it?!"
Kiara jabbed him with a finger. "You've lost your mind! How can you call me 'mother of evil'? I'm not the mother of those creatures! And stop acting like some hero—or whatever you are—making dramatic entrances just to look cool!"
Yuvaan's smirk widened, crimson eyes glinting. "Not hero, my wifey… villain. Always villain."
Kiara crossed her arms, a mix of sass and exasperation. "Villain husband… I know you hate heroes. But don't you dare call me anything like that!"
Yuvaan leaned closer, voice low, teasing, intoxicating. "Don't worry, wifey… villains only need one rule: cause trouble… elegantly."
Kiara groaned, burying her face in her hands. "You are impossible…"
Even through fear and frustration, her heartbeat betrayed her.