Chapter 6: Fox Eyes and Fiancés

As soon as the man came ashore, the buffalo demon covered its eyes and ran away!

Even demons knew when to quit. It fled, tail between its legs, leaving me alone with the bather.

Seeing I wasn’t talking, that hand slid up my shoulder and gripped my chin!

His fingers were warm, roughened by old struggles. He turned my face up, searching my eyes for answers.

“Why aren’t you answering? Guilty and won’t apologise?”

He was playing with me, fox arrogance shining. I played along.

I forced an awkward smile: “I just happened to pass by, saw nothing!”

I tried to sound convincing, but my cheeks betrayed me.

So the man spun me around to face him!

Swift, but never rough. Lake water dripped onto my arm, oddly comforting.

“Now you see?”

He pulled away the last barrier, daring me to deny what was right before me.

My breath caught, and I closed my eyes, only to see his face covered by a veil, with fox eyes glimmering with watery light!

The veil was thin, almost see-through. Those unmistakable fox eyes sparkled with secrets.

But though his face was covered, his clothes didn’t cover much!

A single glance confirmed: decency was on vacation. I raised my eyebrows, fighting laughter.

Maybe he came out in a hurry, his kurta just draped, not even tied!

His carelessness was infuriatingly charming. The world could end, and this fox would still forget to button up.

His slender waist was taut, smooth lines on full display!

Not that I was looking, of course!

You think this can tempt a deva?

Please. I’d seen better in the upper court, though none with this much attitude.

Ridiculous!

Still, I couldn’t help but admire the view for a heartbeat longer than I should.

I reached out and touched him directly!

Why hesitate? His breath hitched, surprise flickering in his eyes.

The beauty’s breath hitched: “Hmm? Taking advantage of me?”

I touched him twice more, then scolded: “In broad daylight, how can you appear half-naked? What example is that?”

I clicked my tongue, shaking my head like a strict school teacher.

“It’s only out of kindness I covered your belly button for you—don’t let it happen again!”

I draped his kurta with a flourish. Aunty pride!

After speaking, I turned to run, easily dodging his hand!

You can’t catch a war goddess so easily. I darted away, heart pounding, half-laughing at my own boldness.

Don’t underestimate a war goddess without divine power—I’m still queen of hard work!

Years of ashram training left their mark. I could outrun any demon, and most aunties.

While I praised my agility, the person behind suddenly stopped moving!

The sudden silence made me pause. Was he giving up?

Hmm?

Gave up?

Not likely. I turned, curiosity winning.

Curious, I looked back and saw the beauty tear off his veil!

Dramatic as a soap opera climax.

That unparalleled face was finally revealed!

For a moment, the world stilled. Even the breeze held its breath.

“You realised it was me long ago, and still didn’t want to see me?”

His words were a challenge and a plea. Old wounds surfaced.

His eyes were always passionate, but his voice was cold: “Meera, how long will you keep pretending?”

My name on his lips was both a caress and a curse. The world tilted.

If he hadn’t exposed himself, I’d planned to play dumb to the end!

It’s always safer to feign ignorance. Old friends are the most dangerous foes.

When old friends meet, there’s always comparison!

I glanced at my reflection in the lake—dusty, wild-haired, nothing like the war goddess I once was.

Now he’s demon king, and I’m just a banished fake deva!

The irony made me want to laugh and cry.

That makes me look ridiculous!

If the upper court saw me, they’d vote to revoke my sadhana.

So ridiculous, I laughed!

I laughed till my sides ached, startling a kingfisher into flight.

Laughing, I sighed: “Rohan, long time no see!”

The words tumbled out, heavier than I meant. My voice cracked, betraying more than I’d admit.

Three hundred years is indeed a long time!

Long enough to forget, long enough to regret.

Long enough that I doubt he came this time with good intentions!

I eyed him, remembering every story of demons seeking vengeance.

As the saying goes, hate lasts longer than love!

Especially in our world, where grudges are passed down like family recipes.

Given what I did three hundred years ago, unless he’s crazy, he probably already forgot any fondness for me!

Still, part of me wondered—can even foxes forget so easily?

I’m sure he’s here for revenge!

I braced myself, fingers twitching for a sword I didn’t have.

So, after hearing what Rohan said, I dazedly popped out a question mark!

My confusion was real, my bravado slipping.

“Three hundred years ago you used me to ascend. Now I won’t make the same mistake—won’t be your stepping stone to moksha again. I won’t get entangled with you anymore!”

His voice was fierce, bitterness clear. I flinched, despite myself.

He lifted his chin, full of pride—a real face-slapping comeback!

He looked every inch the demon king, proud and untouchable.

Then he said: “I’m no longer someone you can summon and dismiss with a finger. This time, you won’t easily get me into bed!”

The challenge hung thick as humidity before a storm.

After saying that, he left!

Just like that, he turned and vanished into the trees. For a moment, I stared after him, stunned.

Just left!

I, who’d been on guard, thinking he’d seek revenge: “Kya?”

I blinked, caught between relief and disappointment. Foxes always had a flair for drama.

Not long after Rohan left, I finally made my way out of the mountains!

I stumbled onto a road, mud on my feet, hair wild from the wind. The world seemed wider, possibilities stretching ahead.

After asking for directions, I finally heard my first good news since coming down!

A kind chaiwala pointed the way, and hope sparked in my chest.

This place wasn’t far from Delhi!

The promise of civilization, family gossip, and hot showers.

With my stamina, I’d reach it in a few days!

A few days of dusty roads and cheap lodges, but nothing new for me.

But there was a small problem!

The universe loves a joke, and mine was about to come with extra masala.

Even with my powers sealed, I still had a deva body. To some demons, I was a walking tonic!

Rumours spread: a vulnerable deva, ripe for the taking. Even the trees leaned in, listening for gossip.

In three days, I beat up eight evil demons, and the sword I bought at random was getting dull!

Every night was another test. My sword grew notched, but my resolve only sharpened.

After three days, maybe realizing I was still not to be messed with, the demons stopped trying to assassinate me!

Word spread, and the attacks ceased. But peace never lasts.

Instead, they started climbing into my bed!

The new threat was less lethal, but infinitely more irritating. Apparently, even banished devas aren’t spared the nonsense of desperate demons.

In the middle of the night, I locked eyes with a snake demon lifting my bed curtains!

He slithered in with a grin, thinking himself clever. I just rolled my eyes.

The iron sword in my arms gleamed coldly, and the snake demon immediately surrendered, its waist going limp as it slumped by my bed!

He went from predator to puppy in a second. The air grew awkward.

“The bear demon you killed today was my old enemy. By killing him, you’ve done me a favour. I have nothing to repay you with except myself!”

His voice was earnest, intentions less so. I stifled a groan.

Three hundred years away, the mortal world is more confusing than ever!

If this is gratitude now, I want a refund!

I tried to pull the curtains back: “No sex-for-favours deals! The door’s over there, see yourself out!”

My words were sharp, patience thin. The snake demon looked crushed.

The snake demon wouldn’t let go: “I’m sincere, I fell in love at first sight! I don’t want anything, just to stay by your side and take care of you!”

His eyes were wide, pleading. I almost felt bad—almost.

Yeah, take care of me all the way to bed!

If I had a rupee for every time I’d heard that line...

Seeing his stubborn look of ‘If you don’t keep me, I’ll die here,’ I rubbed my forehead and said:

I put on my most dramatic sigh, channeling every soap opera saas I’d ever watched.

“People wanting to follow me could line up to Mumbai. What’s your competitive edge?”

If you want to impress, beta, do better than just looking pretty.

The snake demon bit his lip, straightened his waist: “I have two...”

His words trailed off, the suggestion clear. I raised a brow, unimpressed.

I immediately covered his mouth.

“Stop, that’s not broadcastable.”

Even a deva has her limits.

But I have to say, that’s pretty competitive!

In another life, I’d have laughed. Today, I just sighed, counting the absurdities.

Under my palm, the snake demon blinked, stuck out his tongue, and licked me!

He was bolder than I expected. For a moment, I was genuinely startled.

I was still stunned, didn’t dodge in time!

I hadn’t expected him to go that far. My reflexes, dulled by exhaustion, betrayed me.

The snake demon misunderstood, eyes lighting up, and reached for my kamarbandh!

No shame, this one. Intentions as clear as a full moon.

“I’ll make you feel good...”

His voice was a purr, full of confidence. I rolled my eyes, ready to teach him a lesson.

Before he could finish, he flew sideways out of the room!

One moment he was beside me, next he was airborne, tumbling into the corridor.

A certain demon king who shouldn’t have been there stood in the doorway, face dark, the usual light in his eyes now icy!

Rohan’s eyes blazed, the kind of anger that could melt steel. I sat up, heart pounding, suddenly awake.

Such killing intent!

The room seemed to freeze, shadows lengthening.

Once again, I was on guard, thinking maybe he was back for revenge?

I reached for my sword, just in case. Old habits die hard.

“You!” Rohan pointed at me!

His finger shook with fury, voice trembling just a bit.

I quietly touched my sword: “What about me?”

I met his gaze, refusing to be cowed.

“You must really be hungry, even shameless trash like that looks good to you!”

His words cut deep. I bristled, more annoyed than hurt.

Me: “...”

Me: “Hai Ram!”

I threw up my hands. Of all the insults!

If you want revenge, take it on me—why insult me?

I glared, daring him to make a move.