Page 138 of Twisted Sins

It was a bedroom. The first thing she saw was a large stone window overlooking a waterfall in the distance. The view was stunning.

The bedroom room was as big as the one she had in San Francisco, where her brothers had spared no expense in giving her a large suite. But instead of soft, pastel colors, this room matched the earthy tones of the rest of the Kabali mansion. A king-sized bed was placed on top of a stone dais, and the rest of the furniture was made of stone and wood. While her childhood home in San Francisco was on top of a hill, overlooking the ocean, the Kabali mansion bedroom suite was carved inside a mountain, overlooking a waterfall.

“This place is simply stunning,” said Nandini.

Rumi smiled. “Yes, and we are all glad to be back home.”

Nandini wondered why they had stayed in encampments and kept moving around many times when they clearly had a permanent home.

It is because of me.

She realized that the demon didn’t want to risk the Kabali mansion being discovered. He had anticipated that her father and brothers would try to track her whereabouts to rescue her. There was also the risk of her escaping and then describing the place she had been held captive. But now that she was willingly in the marriage, she no longer posed a threat.

Strangely, she wasn’t offended by the demon’s plan to keep moving her through various encampments. She knew he was protecting his people.

Faint sounds of drums and conch shells filled the air outside, followed by primitive cries.

“They have begun the offerings for today’s feast,” said Uma. “Rudra didn’t want you there because it might upset you.”

Nandini frowned. “What do you mean?”

“They sacrifice goats and chicken as an offering,” said Rumi. “I don’t think you would have been able to watch it, let alone participate in it.”

Nandini was shocked. She had no idea what they had meant by an offering. But now that she did, she was glad the demon sent her away. She definitely wouldn’t be able to take in the sight.

“Come, we’ll show you the bath area,” said Rumi.

Nandini nodded as Rumi and Uma took her to an adjoining room.

Once again, Nandini was shocked. Although the bathroom was made of stone, it had modern fittings such as taps and a mirror. There was a large stone bathtub in the center and a stone shower stall in the corner.

The stone bathtub looked big enough to fit in three people easily.

“Who built this mansion?” Nandini asked in awe.

“It is a four-hundred-year-old fortress converted into a mansion,” said Rumi. “The plan of the mansion and surrounding area was designed by Bhairav Kabali, Rudra’s father. But it was Rudra who began renovating the fortress into its current form. He started five years ago when he became the clan head. And now, the entire clan has been living here.”

Nandini was shocked.

“Then where did the clan live five years ago?” she asked.

“We were always nomads,” said Rumi. “But I recall my mother telling me that.

Bhairav Kabali wanted our clan to have a permanent place as he felt it would help in our development and also keep us safer.”

“I see.”

Nandini was curious to know more about Rudra’s parents. She wanted to talk to someone older who had known them personally. But she knew she couldn’t ask as the people blamed her family for Rudra’s parents’ deaths.

“Are there visitors from outside to the Kabali mansion?” she asked.

“Not too many,” Uma replied. “But now, with yours and Rudra’s marriage, it will soon be safe.”

Nandini nodded, hoping that would come true.

Uma was about to turn on the taps in the bathtub, but Nandini stopped her.

“I’ll shower in that,” she said, pointing to the cubicle with a shower head.

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