What about the demon?
He would return the next day and find her gone. He would think that she had escaped from him. He would never trust her.
The ache inside her heart grew at the thought.
She also realized there would be other repercussions, such as a fight between the Thakvar and Kabali clans. The fourth alliance would fall through.
Her heart thudded.
Her mother often told her to follow her heart. And right then, her heart felt violently opposed to the idea of leaving the demon’s side.
“Please, stop,” Nandini suddenly said.
The woman stopped.
“I’m sorry,” said Nandini. “I know I said I wanted to go to my family. But I changed my mind.”
Maya looked shocked, and she frowned.
“I wanted to go and meet my family to tell them I’m with Rudra willingly. But I think it’s better if I visit my family along with Rudra. If Rudra finds me gone, he won’t like it, and it might endanger the alliance and treaties between the clans.”
Maya looked shocked.
“Sorry,” Nandini repeated. “I know I wasted your time.”
Strangely, Maya didn’t look angry or upset. She looked shocked and then fearful.
“I-I’m sorry,” she said. “I thought you hated and didn’t respect Rudra. And that you would feel glad to return to your family and break the alliance. And that… Chaya would become Rudra’s wife for the fourth alliance.”
Nandini frowned. “Chaya? You mean Chaya Tadvi?”
Nandini knew that Chaya Tadvi wanted to marry Rudra.
Maya nodded. “I am from the Tadvi clan. And yesterday, Chaya told me that you hated Rudra and would risk the Kabali and other north clans’ safety if you remained here. So… she asked me to help you escape.”
Nandini was pissed at Chaya Tadvi’s plan.
“It’s okay,” said Nandini. “Let’s just return.”
Just as they were about to turn their horses, Nandini heard the familiar sounds of galloping horses.
Thinking they must be from the Kabali clan in search of her, she turned.
But the horses weren’t black like those of the Kabali clan. They were brown.
“They are here,” Maya said, looking worried. “C-chaya said that someone will come halfway to take you carefully to the Thakvar mansion.”
Nandini’s heart thudded.
Instinct told her to take risk and ride away along with Maya. The Kabali horses were powerful and faster. But the fact that the other riders held weapons made her pause.
Even if they were from the Thakvar clan, she would be safe, but they might hurt Maya while trying to escape.
“Maya, I will go with them. But I want you to leave right away.”
Maya looked shocked. “What? But you said you didn’t want to return to your family.”
“I know. Please listen to me and leave right now.”