XXIII The Last Game Played

The games grew fiercer as the days passed, rising from tests of skill to matches edged with blood. On the third day, animals were loosed against men, and the field blazed with raw strength, agility, and hidden talents that belonged more to the battlefield than sport. The crowd roared at every clash, their voices swelling with admiration and fear alike. As always, Queen Inayat and the royals sat upon the dais, watching from their high pavilion. But today, Ayman did not descend to the field. His name was not called, and so he remained seated among them. For Aabroo, it was a secret delight. Her couch had been set beside his—whether by command or by fate, she could not tell, nor did she care. She rejoiced in the closeness, her heart quietly singing. Call her insane, but the smallest nearness made her spirit flutter. She lived on soft, fleeting joys, dreaming her love rather than naming it. She was untouched by the truth of what simmered in Ayman’s head—dark, raw, restless. Still,

Last Updated : 2025-09-07

XXIV Silent Triumph

The crimson flag dropped, and both horses exploded forward like lightning bolts across the earth. The ground quaked beneath their hooves, throwing dust and shards of dry grass high into the air. The roar of the crowd faded into a low hum, swallowed by the pounding of hooves and the sharp exhale of the beasts straining for dominance. For the first few strides, Ayman and Abhiman were neck and neck, their gazes locking across the length of the track. Abhiman’s jaw tightened, the sinews of his face hard with focus. He leaned low, urging his horse faster, every muscle alive with hunger for victory. Ayman, however, smirked. His dark eyes glimmered with a calm that almost mocked the storm of effort around him. He guided his horse with a loose rein, as if the race itself were nothing more than a game, a performance for his amusement. Every so often, he deliberately slowed, letting Abhiman surge ahead, only to drive his steed forward again and reclaim the lead with ease. The crowd gasped a

Last Updated : 2025-09-09

All Chapters of The Rule: Chapter 111 - Chapter 112

XXIII The Last Game Played

XXIV Silent Triumph