Page 49 of Twisted Sins

He most likely knew of her presence, but he didn’t send any stern message through Uma. She was allowed into the encampment to mingle with the Kabali clan.

The clan women weren’t friendly, but their hostility wasn’t as obvious either. Nandini spent maximum time with Uma, learning a few words in the Kabali language. She used them to greet the Kabali women and to ask how they were doing. She was met with surprise in their eyes, but they didn’t return her smile.

When the sunset, her demon husband returned with his men. And she ate her meal around the fire along with the clan. He continued to carry her to the tent, and as he held her, he commanded her to accept him as her husband. It was met with her silence.

But on the previous night, which was her ninth day of marriage, she broke the silence.

“Tam hums manlam mam ornayi thikri dhani…gvanni,” he commanded.

Sucking in a deep breath, she uttered the words in the Kabali language.

“Nistaro hotar. Mam hums manlam tam ornayi dhani mayi nistaro hotar.”

She held her breath and waited for the demon’s response. But he didn’t say or do anything. His body didn’t stiffen, and his arm wrapped around her waist did not tighten.

A few moments later, the demon’s breathing turned deep, indicating he fell asleep.

She frowned, wondering if she had said the wrong words. But she had verified with Uma several times.

Her heart thudded.

Maybe he didn’t hear me properly.

But her words were clearly said.

Does that mean the demon didn’t desire me enough to meet my condition?

***

The next morning, she followed her demon husband once again to the pond.

She hid in the shadows of a cave and watched him play the flute. It was followed by a prayer.

When she knew he would soon turn and get out of the water, she did something entirely shocking. Instead of running back to their tent, she stepped out of the cave and went towards the demon.

Her heart thudded when the demon turned, and his grey eyes met hers. She didn’t see any surprise or anger on his face.

With her heart thudding loudly in her ears, she continued to go towards him. She stepped into the pond with her clothes on and waded through the water until she stood in front of him.

She had almost forgotten how tall he was until she had to tip her head back to meet his eyes. The pond water came until the demon’s hips, but for her, it came until her breasts.

The sun had just risen and the breeze from the desert was still slightly chilly. She shivered slightly, but it was attributed more to the proximity to her demon husband rather than the cool breeze.

The ash on his face was washed away, and he looked even more stunning from close. Every feature of his was rugged, chiseled and masculine. The only thing marring the perfection of his face was the long, thin and wicked looking pale scar that slashed across his right eyebrow to the middle of his cheekbone. It made him appear fierce and savage, showcasing his true nature.

Suppressing another shiver, she drank in the masculine beauty.

She also noticed that he had beautifully dark, thick eyelashes that framed his piercing grey eyes. And currently, those grey eyes were watching her.

Her breathing turned quick and shallow. Before she lost her courage, she placed her right hand on his chest, covering an intricate tattoo over his heart.

“Rudra,” she whispered his name.

His body tensed under her palm, and his grey eyes darkened. But the impassiveness didn’t leave his face as he watched her.

Her stomach trembled, and goosebumps peppered her skin as she shivered.

The hair-roughened skin under her palm emitted heat, making her take another step closer until the tip of her breasts brushed against his well-defined abdomen. She expected him to grab her, but he didn’t touch her, his darkened eyes watching her every move like a predator.

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