He thought she was planning another escape attempt.
“I’m not lying!” she said. “I do want Goddess Shakti’s statue in the Singoor temple and the people of Singoor to be in peace. Just because I want to see my family once to let them know I’m okay doesn’t mean I’ll not keep my promise. And besides, you are to take me to my family in the third month anyway. So, a little early—”
“No.”
He didn’t elaborate any further.
She didn’t know if he was refusing to take her to her family or refusing her deal to remain as his wife until the statue commissioning ceremony.
“Why?” she demanded, her temper rising.
She was doing the demon a huge favor. Despite being kidnapped, terrorized, and bullied, she was willing to do the necessary and stay married to him.
“Because I don’t trust you or your family, my dear wife,” he said darkly. “And I know for sure that even before we step into the Thakvar region, there will be multiple attacks on me and my people. And I don’t take kindly to attacks. The Thakvar clan and whoever is responsible will pay with their lives.”
She sucked in a deep breath, knowing how savage he and his men could get. It would lead to a blood bath and endanger the lives of her brothers, who would most likely plan an attack on him.
“Then maybe send me through someone else,” she suggested. “I can visit my family with the holy men. The Aghoris can take me—”
“No.”
She felt angry and frustrated. “If you don’t let me meet my family, I will escape! I will meet them and come back here again.”
He didn’t seem concerned. “You can’t escape.”
“I can,” she said. “You people have begun to warm towards me. All I will need is another plan.”
His mouth twisted darkly. “You can’t escape me,” he repeated. “My people are loyal to me. And even if you manage to trick them, I will find you. Your ankle bracelet has a tracker, and I will find you within no time.”
She was shocked.
She looked at the thick ankle bracelet that was put on her during the wedding ceremony.
“This tracker works everywhere,” he drawled. “Unlike the one your brothers had sent, this tracker will work near the foothills as well. That’s how I tracked you when you escaped with a horse.”
Her cheeks flushed in anger.
Savage bastard!
His grey eyes bore into hers. “If you are truly willing to help bring peace to Singoor, then stay here as my wife without imposing conditions.”
She didn’t want to agree to that. She desperately wanted to see her family, hug her mother and father to let them know she was fine. She wanted to tell her brothers in person that she was going to be a part what they began.
But she knew the demon didn’t trust her or her family.
She inhaled a deep breath.
“Fine,” she gritted. “I won’t visit my family until the third month.”
By then, I will make you trust me, she vowed.
He didn’t say anything.
The rest of the meal finished in silence. She placed the lids back on the containers and cleaned up a bit before going to the bedding.
She lay on the bedding, and her stomach fluttered as she watched the demon shed his black tunic. His tattooed muscles glistened in the lamp lighting as he prepared for the night.
Her heart thudded and heat slid into her stomach as his grey eyes met hers while he came towards her and joined her.