The month of lessons had transformed her. Raina found herself adapting to her new life . The shy, terrified girl was slowly giving way to a woman awakening to her own body, her own desires. Aryaman had been a patient, if unconventional, teacher. He had shown her the contours of her own body, taught her to touch herself, to explore the nascent sensations that blossomed beneath her fingers. He had shown her how her clit, a tiny button of flesh, could sing with pleasure, how her nipples, once shy, could harden and ache for attention.

Now, as they stood in their chamber, the oil lamp casting a soft glow, he looked at her, his eyes filled with an intensity that made her breath catch.