NOVEL NEXT Chapter 39: Ch 38
Chapter 38: Whispers Beneath the Festival Lights
The bustling energy of Valabhi's market settled into a quieter hum as the sun dipped below the horizon. Lanterns flickered to life, their golden glow chasing away the encroaching dusk. Shadows danced on the cobblestones, weaving stories of their own.
Samudra and Tara lingered near the edge of the market, the earlier chatter between the group giving way to a comfortable silence. The scent of jasmine and freshly baked sweets lingered in the air, mingling with the faint strains of a veena being played in the distance.
Tara's hand brushed against the bangles she now wore, their delicate clinking a soft counterpoint to her thoughts. She glanced at Samudra, his profile outlined by the lantern light. There was an ease to his stance, but his sharp eyes scanned their surroundings with a quiet intensity.
"Do you always look like you're planning a battle?" she asked, her voice breaking the silence.
Samudra's lips quirked upward. "Force of habit." He turned to her, his gaze flicking to her wrist. "The bangles suit you."
Tara's cheeks warmed. "I didn't ask for them."
"No, but you wanted them," he countered lightly. "You just don't know how to take what you want yet."
She frowned, not entirely sure if it was a compliment or a veiled jab. "Is that what you do? Take what you want?"
Samudra's expression softened, a rare vulnerability flickering in his eyes. "Not always. Sometimes, I wait."
Before Tara could decipher his words, Aryan approached with his usual flair, his exaggerated limp now forgotten. "You two look cozy," he teased, his grin wide.
Tara rolled her eyes. "What is it, Aryan?"
Aryan gestured toward the makeshift stage where performers continued their preparations. "The innkeeper's been asking about our involvement in the play. Apparently, there's already a buzz about the 'mysterious couple' who might step in as Ram and Sita."
Samudra groaned. "I thought we made it clear we weren't interested."
"You did," Aryan said with a shrug. "But subtlety isn't exactly his strong suit. Besides…" He leaned in conspiratorially. "It's not the worst cover. If the Sect is watching, this could throw them off."
Tara glanced at the stage, her brow furrowing. "And if it doesn't?"
Aryan's grin didn't waver. "Then we give them a show they'll never forget."
---
The inn's modest dining area was alive with conversation as townsfolk and travelers gathered for the evening meal. Tara sat at the corner of a low table, picking at her food while her mind wandered. The festival's atmosphere was infectious, but the nagging sense of being watched had yet to leave her.
Azeus, now back in his humanoid form, sat across from her, his expression contemplative as he sipped spiced milk. "You're uneasy," he said, his voice barely above a murmur.
Tara looked up, startled by his observation. "It's nothing."
"Lying doesn't suit you," Azeus replied with a faint smile. "The weight on your shoulders grows heavier with each passing day. You should let it rest, even if only for tonight."
Tara frowned, but before she could respond, Samudra approached, setting a small pouch on the table. "For you," he said simply.
She opened it hesitantly, revealing a delicate anklet adorned with tiny bells. Tara looked up, her confusion evident.
"It's customary," Samudra explained, his tone casual. "For the festival. You'll blend in better with it."
Tara's fingers brushed the cool metal. "I don't need this to blend in."
"No," Samudra agreed, his gaze steady. "But it doesn't hurt to enjoy something for its own sake."
Aryan, sitting nearby, couldn't resist interjecting. "How romantic," he drawled, earning a sharp look from Samudra.
"Put it on," Samudra said, ignoring Aryan's comment. His tone left no room for argument.
Reluctantly, Tara fastened the anklet around her ankle. The faint chime of the bells as she moved was oddly soothing, though she'd never admit it aloud.
---
Later that night, the group gathered in the room they shared at the inn. The air was thick with unspoken tension as Aryan laid out a map of the town, marking potential threats and escape routes.
"The Sect has eyes everywhere," Aryan said, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "We need to be ready for anything."
Samudra nodded, his expression grim. "We'll proceed as planned. Tara and I will participate in the play. Aryan, you'll stay in the crowd and keep watch. Azeus…"
The dragon-turned-human leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "I'll stay close. If things go awry, you'll need my firepower."
Tara listened quietly, her fingers absently tracing the edge of the map. "And if the Sect doesn't show?"
Aryan smirked. "Then we've just given the town the performance of a lifetime."
Despite the levity in his words, the weight of the situation hung heavy in the room.
---
The next morning, Tara found herself standing behind the stage, her nerves fraying as she adjusted the ornate sari she'd been given for the role of Sita. The vibrant red and gold fabric felt foreign against her skin, and the anklet's bells seemed louder than ever in the stillness.
Samudra approached, dressed as Ram in a warrior's garb that suited him all too well. He offered her a reassuring smile, though his own tension was evident.
"Ready?" he asked, his voice steady.
Tara took a deep breath, meeting his gaze. "As I'll ever be."
The town square was packed as the play began, the audience eagerly watching the story of Ram and Sita unfold. Tara moved through her role with a natural grace, though her mind remained alert for any signs of danger.
Samudra, ever the perfectionist, delivered his lines with conviction, his presence commanding the stage. At one point, his hand brushed Tara's as part of the act, and she was startled by the warmth in his touch.
The moment passed quickly, but it lingered in her thoughts as the play continued.
From the shadows, Aryan watched the crowd, his sharp eyes scanning for threats. Azeus, in his feline form, perched on a rooftop, his gaze equally vigilant.
As the final act approached, the crowd's cheers filled the air, but Tara's unease grew. Somewhere in the sea of faces, unseen eyes were watching, waiting.
And she knew the night was far from over.