Page 78 of Twisted Sins

She recalled asking about it, but Uma hadn’t known.

“I don’t know,” said Uma. “I heard that he just appeared five years ago and claimed the position of the Kabali clan head by defeating the previous clan head.”

She shuddered, recalling that the demon had to kill the previous clan head.

“What if he is a fraud?” she asked. “Someone with grey eyes pretending to be the dead Kabali heir?”

Uma looked scandalized. “Many elders from the clan recognized him as the heir. It’s not just the eyes. It’s also the tattoos given only to the heirs during childhood.”

Nandini knew those could be easily faked, too. But she didn’t push Uma because Uma and the rest of the Kabali clan hero-worshipped the demon.

Uma looked uncertain. “I’m not supposed to talk about the past or tell you anything about Rudra or our clan. They believe that you would pass that information on to your family, and they would use it against us. But I’m talking to you because I want you to fall in love with Rudra and accept him from your heart.”

Nandini nodded even though she felt bad for lying to the sweet woman. “Yes. The more I know about him, the more I feel drawn to… my husband.”

She hated the demon with a passion. The Kabalis were rightfully worried because the moment she escaped and returned to her family, she would give the necessary information to her brothers and have the demon captured.

There was a look of relief on Uma’s face, followed by a proud look.

“Rudra has received many marriage alliances from the north clan heiresses. But he turned them down and chose you as his bride.”

Lucky me.

The demon most likely made the decision based on the prosperity of the Thakvar clan. It was also the reason why the seer kept saying that marriage between her and Rudra would bring prosperity to Singoor or, rather, to the Kabali clan.

But something felt amiss.

Clan unifications. Marriage alliances. Heiresses.

Although she was gathering information in pieces, she had more questions than answers. She knew the demon wouldn’t answer any of them despite her demanding answers from him each night.

***

Later that evening, as soon as the demon carried her to their tent and lowered her on the bedding, she sprang up on her knees.

For the past week, there had been cold silences from him. The only warmth or rather heat was when he held her each night and slept.

But she spoke to him each night. She kept asking him questions and demanded that he let her go, which he ignored.

“I am bored,” she said, watching him prepare for the night. Her eyes fell on his broad back, and she saw his muscles and the large eagle tattoo glisten in the soft yellow lighting of the lamps. “I have nothing much to do the entire day while you are gone somewhere to attack and kill innocent travelers.”

He turned, and his grey eyes flashed at her taunt.

Her stomach trembled slightly at his look, but she didn’t heed the warning. Now that she knew that the demon wasn’t a complete savage, she didn’t feel too threatened by his dark glares.

“I’m not meant for a life like this,” she said. “I can’t just help in cooking and cleaning all day. I come from a rich, powerful family who don’t bathe in the open or live like nomads with only a handful of belongings in a tent. I grew up in mansions surrounded by luxury. My brothers have private jets, and they constantly gift me beautiful things.”

She knew how shallow she sounded. But she wanted the demon to realize how mismatched they were and that he should let her go. And maybe find another heiress from a clan who was better suited to him.

The demon finally broke his silence.

“I don’t care how you grew up or what your brothers gifted you,” he said, removing the last of his arm bracelets. “You are my wife now, and your sole purpose is to serve me in every way I demand.”

His words angered her.

She wanted to attack him and slap him, but she clenched her hands into fists, controlling herself. She could see a glint in the demon’s grey eyes as he waited for her loss of control. He most likely used those words deliberately, knowing they would anger her.

Manipulative demon!

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