could not be touched without the express permission of the Maharaja himself! And Archini was right to be scared—if discovered, Atulya could pack Makshi back to Ghaggar, where her own clan could lawfully kill her for bringing them dishonor! As for the monk, according to sacred law, he would be castrated, bound, and thrown into deep jungle to be devoured by wild beasts.

What was this impetuous urge that drove humans to risk their very lives? Ishvari wondered as she tossed and turned. When the same monk had recently crafted new sandals for her, the force of his energy as he had deliberately prolonged measuring her feet had caused a tumult in her lower regions. Although she had complained about him later to Archini, in truth it had been hard to turn away from the desire burning in his eyes.

Im...

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