As we moved into Indravathi, I could feel the wind, the birds and the trees welcoming me. It felt so good to be free after so many days. My brother had been my saviour, the one person who had seen through the hidden message that I had sent and understood the depths of my despair. He had risked everything to bring me back to Indravathi, to the safety of our family.

"Tara," he said, his voice low but filled with the authority that had always been his hallmark. "We're almost there. Are you ready?"

I met his gaze, seeing the concern in his eyes. Nishant, my brother, had always been my protector, my confidant. This time, I was not just his sister returning home; I was a queen, a mother-to-be, fleeing from a husband who had become a stranger.

"I don't know," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know if I'll ever be ready for what's to come."

Bhratashree reached over, placing a hand on mine. "You don't have to face this alone, Tara. You're home now. Father will protect you, and so will I. No one will hurt you here."

I wanted to believe him, to let his words wrap around me like a protective cloak. But deep down, I knew the truth. I was safe for now, yes, but Anshuman was not a man who would let go of me. He would come for me-of that, I was certain. And when he did, it would not be with open arms, but with the full force of his will, with the fury of a man scorned.

As we passed through the gates, the familiar sights and sounds of the palace grounds flooded back to me. The courtyard was bustling with activity, servants and guards moving with purpose, their faces reflecting the day's labour. The palace itself stood tall and imposing, its marble walls glowing in the fading light, a symbol of the strength and power of my lineage.

But as I dismounted from my horse, a wave of exhaustion washed over me, the weight of the past weeks pressing down on my shoulders. I wanted nothing more than to retreat to my old chambers, to lose myself in the comfort of familiarity. But I knew that was not an option. There were too many questions and too many uncertainties that needed to be addressed.

"Tara!" My father's voice boomed across the courtyard as he strode toward me, his face a mix of relief and concern. He was a tall man, broad-shouldered and strong, with the bearing of a ruler who had seen much in his lifetime. His embrace was warm, enveloping me in the scent of sandalwood and the faint musk of the hunt.

"Pitashree," I murmured, burying my face in his shoulder, feeling the tears that I had been holding back finally spill over. "I'm so sorry."

He pulled back, cupping my face in his hands, his eyes searching mine with a tenderness that broke my heart. "There is nothing to be sorry for, my child. You are home, and that is all that matters. We will deal with the rest in time."

I nodded, trying to compose myself. The others dismounted and made their way toward us. My father gestured for the servants to take the horses and led me inside, his arm around my shoulders.

As we entered the grand hall, memories of my childhood flooded back-playing hide and seek among the columns, sneaking into the kitchens for sweet treats, and sitting in my father's lap as he told stories of battles and heroes. This was the place where I had grown up, where I had dreamed of love and adventure, where I had imagined a future filled with hope. But now, those dreams felt distant, like the echoes of a song that had long since faded.

"Rest now, Tara," my father said, guiding me toward the staircase that led to my old chambers. "We will speak more in the morning. There is much to discuss, but for tonight, I want you to rest and know that you are safe."

I nodded, grateful for his understanding, and allowed the servants to lead me up the stairs. The familiar corridors felt strange, as if I were a guest in my own home. But as I entered my chambers, the memories came rushing back-the tapestries on the walls, the soft cushions on the window seat where I had spent countless hours reading, and the bed with its canopy of silk.

I sank onto the bed, my body heavy with fatigue. But sleep did not come easily. My thoughts were a whirlwind, tangled and confused. I had done what I had to do to protect myself, to protect my child. But the uncertainty of what lay ahead gnawed at me.

Would Anshuman come for me? And if he did, what would he do? He was a man who did not take betrayal lightly. I knew that all too well. But I also knew that I could not return to Aranyapura under the terms he would demand. I could not live in a gilded cage, no matter how luxurious it was. Unless he was a changed man, I would not will myself to return.

As the night wore on, I found myself staring out the window at the stars, searching for answers that I knew would not come easily. The sky was vast and endless, a reminder of how small my problems were in the grand scheme of things. But it did little to ease the turmoil in my heart.

I thought of Ansh, of the man I had once loved with all my heart. Was there any of that man left in the one who had driven me away? Or had he been consumed by his need for power, his fear of losing control? And what would happen if he did come for me? Would I have the strength to stand up to him, to fight for my freedom, for the future of our child?

As dawn began to break, casting a pale light over the horizon, I made a decision. I would not live in fear. I would not let Anshuman dictate my life or my choices. I was more than just his wife, more than just a queen. I was Nayantara, the daughter of a king and the sister of a warrior, and soon, I would be a mother.

Whatever came next, I would face it with the strength of my lineage, with the courage that had been instilled in me from birth. I would not let him take that away from me.

The first light of morning crept into the room, and as it did, I felt a renewed sense of resolve. I would stay in Indravathi, surrounded by those who truly loved me, those who would protect me not out of duty but out of genuine care.

And if Maharaj Anshuman came for me, I would be ready.

I would fight for my freedom and for my child's future. No matter what it took.

The game had changed, and now it was my move.

As I dressed, my hand instinctively moved to my belly, resting there for a moment. A sense of purpose stirred within me. This child, my child, would not be born into chains or into the hollow confines of a marriage built on fear. Whatever happened next, I would fight for us both.

A quiet knock at the door broke my thoughts. I turned to see my brother stepping inside, his face calm but his eyes serious.

"Tara," he said softly, "Father wants to see us. There are things we need to discuss."

I nodded, smoothing down my saree and following him out into the hall. The palace seemed to hum with quiet energy. The guards were more alert than usual, their gazes watchful, and I noticed the servants whispering as we passed. They all knew. The queen of Aranyapura had returned, and with her, the storm that was sure to follow.

As we approached the heavy doors of my father's council chamber, I felt my heartbeat quicken. I hadn't been in this room in years, not since I left for Aranyapura. Now, I was coming back not just as his daughter but as someone with responsibilities far heavier than I had ever imagined. The doors creaked open, and I followed Nishant inside.

Inside, my father stood by the large windows overlooking the palace grounds. His posture was rigid, his hands clasped behind his back. He didn't turn when we entered, but I could feel the weight of his thoughts hanging in the room.

"Father," I called softly, but he remained silent for a moment, staring out at the gardens below. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and burdened.

"Anshuman has sent word."

I froze. Every muscle in my body tensed at the sound of his name. The husband I had fled from, the man who once held my heart in his hands and now hunted me like a prize to reclaim.

"What does he want?" I asked, already knowing the answer but fearing to hear it spoken aloud.

Father turned then, his expression grim, lines of worry deepening on his face. "He demands your return. He claims he will not harm you, but I don't believe his words. Not anymore."

Nishant stepped forward, his jaw clenched. "He will not touch her. She's under our protection now. Let him try to cross into Indravathi-he'll face our army."

But Father shook his head, his eyes filled with a wisdom born from years of ruling. "It's not that simple. Anshuman has powerful allies now. He's building forces, Tara. More than just soldiers-he's rumoured to have... unnatural help."

"Unnatural?" I whispered, confusion mixing with fear.

"There are whispers," my father continued, his voice grave. "Whispers of dark magic, of creatures from the shadows he's calling to his side."

A shiver ran down my spine, cold and unforgiving. I had heard rumours of such things, but I never believed them to be real. Now, with Anshuman's name tied to them, I felt a deep, rising dread.

"But why?" I asked, shaking my head. "Why would he go this far just for me?"

My father exchanged a glance with Nishant before answering. "He would."

"Father," I said slowly, "I understand your concern, but I don't think Anshuman would send an army or use dark magic without a more specific purpose. He's not one to waste resources or reveal his hand too early."

My father's brow furrowed, and Nishant looked at me with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. "What do you mean?" Father asked, his tone more contemplative now.

"Anshuman is intelligent and strategic," I continued. "If he's making a move, it's not just for show. He must have something more in mind, something that will give him a real advantage. He's not the kind of man to provoke a direct conflict unless he has a solid plan."

Nishant nodded thoughtfully. "You may be right. If Anshuman is making threats or sending word, it could be part of a larger strategy to force us into a specific position or to create a psychological advantage."

"Yes," I agreed. "He's likely trying to destabilize us emotionally or politically. If he's spreading rumours of dark magic, it might be to make us uneasy or to create divisions within Indravathi."

Father's eyes narrowed as he considered this. "So you believe his threats are not as dire as they seem?"

"I believe he's using intimidation tactics," I explained. "He might be trying to pressure us into a negotiation or to force a mistake. He knows I'm here and that I'm pregnant. He could be trying to use that against us. I know Anshuman better than anyone in this world."

Father's expression softened as he took in my assessment. "You may have a point. Anshuman has always been adept at psychological manipulation. If we treat his threats as a ploy, we might be able to counter his strategy more effectively."

My brother looked at me with a questioning gaze, "Are you sure, Tara?"

"Cent Percent Bhratashree. I am his Tara. His Light. I know him inside out," I said. It was true. I know every expression on the face of my husband.

"Very well," Father said, his tone measured. "If Anshuman is employing psychological tactics, then we must be prepared to counter them with both strategy and fortitude. We cannot let ourselves be swayed by fear or uncertainty."

Nishant stepped forward, his expression resolute. "We'll begin by shoring up our defences, but we'll also need to be vigilant. If Anshuman is indeed trying to destabilize us, he might try to exploit any weakness he can find."

Father's gaze turned to me. "Tara, do you have any idea what he might be planning? Any specific tactics he could use against us?"

I thought for a moment, recalling the many discussions Anshuman and I had shared about strategy and diplomacy. "He's always been good at exploiting internal divisions. He might try to create discord within the palace or among our allies. If he can plant seeds of doubt or create misunderstandings, he could weaken our unity."

Nishant's eyes narrowed in thought. "So we need to ensure that our internal communications are secure and that our allies are unwavering in their support."

"Yes," I agreed. "And we should also be prepared for indirect attacks-subtle manipulations or misinformation campaigns designed to cause unrest or confusion."

Father's posture relaxed slightly as if my insights had provided him with a clearer path forward. "Then let us proceed with caution. We will bolster our defences, both physical and psychological, and we will maintain a united front. We must not allow Anshuman's tactics to divide us or weaken our resolve."

The Queen would soon Check-Mate the King.