Page 27 of Twisted Sins

Only a few people were outside, and the chores hadn’t yet begun. Hoping no one would notice her and hoping that she still had some time until Uma or someone wondered about Rumi, she continued walking towards the stables.

When she reached there, she approached one of the animals cautiously. The horse looked much bigger than she expected.

It reminded her of the demon. Fierce, intimidating, and powerful. Hoping the horse wouldn’t make too much noise or trample her to death, she touched its nose gently.

“Good boy,” she said softly.

The horse thankfully stayed still and let her touch. She realized she must be smelling of musky sandalwood like the demon, and the smell might seem familiar to the horse.

Whatever the reason was, she took advantage.

“Let’s go on a ride,” she said, patting the animal softly before smoothly climbing on top of it. She pulled her skirt properly over her right leg to cover her distinct anklet.

Then, holding on to the reins, she squeezed her legs against the horse until it began to trot and then take off.

The animal was fast. It didn’t give her time to adjust by going on a slow walk like she was used to while learning to ride. But she didn’t mind. She was desperate to get away.

She held on tightly to the reins while the horse moved faster into the open desert and away from the Kabali clan encampment. She had to put as much distance as possible before her absence was discovered.

After a few minutes, she finally turned and looked back. Thankfully, no one was following her because the previous day, she had led the Kabalis to believe she was terrified of horses.

For the first time, she was immensely grateful she had learned to ride horses. She had learned to ride only because she always tried to do what her three brothers did. And her brothers enjoyed riding because their father Mihir Thakvar had loved horses and taught her brothers to ride.

Her brothers also knew how to fight, and she had learned self-defense on their insistence. But none of those moves helped with the Kabali demon who had held her hostage and married her.

Her stomach trembled in anger and fear as she recalled how easily he had unarmed her each time she attacked him with a knife. She trembled even more, recalling his heat and hardness as he pinned her down and held her against him while he slept.

He is a savage!

No one had dared to touch her or misbehave with her. But the savage dared to touch her.

Even though he wasn’t there right then, she felt the demon’s savage presence like a dark cloud, making her sick with anger and fear.

Pushing away her angry thoughts of the Kabali demon, she tried to focus on where she was going. All she could see were sand and mountains. She hoped she would come across another clan or a village or at least find someone who would take her to the Thakvar lands.

The horse continued to run fast. Hoping the animal wouldn’t tire until a while, she held on to it. The wind blowing through her hair was slightly warm. But she knew it would turn hot as time went by. She hoped the water in the leather pouch would sustain her for a while, along with the dates and nuts.

A few more hours, and I will hopefully be home.

With that positive thought, she continued riding towards freedom.

***

It was nearly noon and the heat had begun to steadily rise. Even though the clothes she wore were loose and air could easily enter, her skin was soaked in sweat. Her leg muscles ached and felt chafed as she wasn’t used to riding without her protective gear.

Before she felt faint, she pulled on the reins to slow down the horse to a stop.

Apart from a large cactus, there wasn’t anything to give a proper shade. She got down from the horse and held the reins before reaching for the leather container with water.

She drank greedily even though a part of her knew she should save some water for the remaining journey. But her mouth felt too dry, and she felt much cooler and better as she drank the water.

By the time she pulled away the leather container, it felt much lighter.

Shit.

Crossing her fingers and hoping she’d be rescued before she felt thirsty again, she reached for the dates and nuts. She could only eat a few as she was too anxious to get home. Even though she had never been to the Thakvar mansion, she considered it home as it belonged to her father.

Angrily, she looked at her right leg where a thick anklet with the Kabali clan insignia declared her as the property of the demon.

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