Aadhya shook her head. “No. My aunt loved a man named Omkar. He belonged to the Aharya clan, which is a clan that is neighboring the Kanwar region. Omkar Aharya admired your aunt and sent a marriage proposal, which your aunt declined. My aunt was heartbroken when Omkar passed away in an accident. After many years, when she was contacted by a man claiming to be Omkar, she was elated and did everything he asked her to do.”
Nandini was stunned by Tantra’s evilness and manipulation. Because of some sick, twisted reason, he had caused pain to many people in Singoor and was continuing to cause havoc.
“We all lost our loved ones due to Tantra,” Ishani said softly. “We can’t risk putting you in danger. You must break the alliance.”
Nandini knew her family meant well by asking her to break the marriage alliance with Rudra.
“Rudra has lost his uncle, father, and mother because of Tantra,” she said softly. “He was seven years old when he watched his mother being brutally murdered before he was taken away and rescued. He grew up in the UK but returned to Singoor to reclaim his birthright and protect his people. He wants peace in Singoor as well. I know he won’t let anything happen to me. I don’t want to break the alliance and risk chaos when we are close to everything.”
There was silence in the room.
“Do you… love your husband?” Ishani asked softly.
Nandini’s heart thudded at the loaded question. She didn’t know how to answer it, especially when her feelings towards her demon husband were complicated.
“I… trust him,” she replied.
Nandini saw concern and worry on the beautiful faces. Her sisters-in-law hadn’t anticipated Nandini to get emotionally attached to the Kabali clan’s savage leader.
“Please, trust me,” Nandini said. “Help me convince my brothers and parents that I am safe with Rudra.”
Ishani slowly nodded, and so did Gauri and Aadhya.
“Alright, we’ll help you,” said Ishani.
Nandini felt relieved. “Thank you!”
She hugged her sisters-in-law, who she hoped would become more like her sisters.
The sounds of drums could be heard from the outside.
“You should freshen up,” said Ishani. “The rituals and events are going to begin soon. Let me show you your room.”
Nandini nodded.
They stepped out of the library, and Nandini was led to a bedroom suite on the top floor.
“Your things are placed in the closet. You can take a shower, and I’ll be back in some time to help you get ready.”
Nandini nodded. “Thanks.”
As soon as the door closed, Nandini turned to look at the room. It was a beautiful suite with a blend of traditional and modern furnishing. She spotted a balcony that overlooked the Thakvar province that was lit up beautifully in the night.
But she couldn’t enjoy the view as her mind spun with the information. She went towards the bathroom and spotted her clothes arranged in the walk-in closet. The dark leather trunks she got from the Kabali mansion looked out of place in the walk-in closet. She frowned when she realized Rudra’s trunks weren’t in the closet.
Is he in a different bedroom?
Her cheeks heated. She wondered if her family had given them separate suites, thinking the marriage wasn’t consummated and she was with Rudra only for the sake of alliance.
I’ll have to let them know.
Deciding to tell them after the evening’s rituals and events, she stepped into the spacious bathroom. Along with a modern jacuzzi, there was a glass cubicle with a steam shower in multiple settings. She took a quick shower using the liquid soap and shampoo from the dispensers.
Strangely, she didn’t miss any of the modern amenities that she once thought were necessary. She loved the stone bathtub in the Kabali mansion, which overlooked a waterfall.
She didn’t linger in the shower for long. She dried herself and wrapped a towel around her before entering the bedroom suite.
She had just put on her clothes when there was a knock on the door. She knew it couldn’t be the demon.