Page 81 of Twisted Sins

After the Thakvars made the third alliance, Rudra knew about the need for the fourth one. His cousins had suggested that he fly to New York and trap Nandini Thakvar as Rudransh Kapoor, but Rudra had refused.

He didn’t want to leave his people unprotected while there was an active threat from Tantra. He also wasn’t keen on romancing a pampered heiress.

He was hoping for the original Goddess Shakti statue to be found and also for Tantra to be caught.

Since neither event occurred, and the news of the Thakvar heiress arriving at Singoor reached him, he decided to go with the fourth alliance.

“Poor Nandini Thakvar,” said Kian with a chuckle. “Rudrash Kapoor would have charmed the hell out of her. But she’s stuck with the grumpy Rudra Kabali.”

Kian was right. Six years ago, Rudra was different since he led a privileged life with no responsibilities. But after he returned to Singoor to embrace his birthright as the Kabali clan heir, he had no time for frivolous pursuits.

“Why don’t you woo your wife, cuz?” Kian suggested. “She’ll be smitten with you and won’t try to escape again or try to get you killed.”

Nandini Thakvar wasn’t the kind to be smitten by anyone. Let alone him.

“Savage demon!” she shouted. “All I feel for you is hate! I will never touch you! I would rather die than touch you again!”

Although he hadn’t reacted to her words, he was tempted to kiss the hell out of her. But he exerted control because the last time he kissed her, he nearly lost control.

Nandini Thakvar could test the patience of a saint. And he was far from being a saint.

“I don’t need to woo her, nor do I want to. Nandini Thakvar is my wife only for an alliance.”

Even as he said those words, his heart raced with unhealthy anticipation of returning to the encampment.

CHAPTER 24

Nandini was near the cooking area, showing off her basic skills with the limited produce and spices the Kabalis had.

“Savad dek,” she said in Kabali language, offering the head cook to taste the fire-baked bread stuffed with stir-fried vegetables and goat cheese.

She was able to communicate using a few Kabali words and the clan softened slightly towards her listening to her speak their language.

The cook gave her a suspicious look but took a small bite. The woman’s frown melted, and she gave an approving nod. “Aacho.”

“You can make this with meat stuffing too,” Nandini said.

The woman was about to say something, but loud shouts and commotion from a distance distracted them.

Nandini turned to see the Kabali men returning on horses. But along with them, there was a brown horse on the top of which there was a thin man seated with his hands tied together in the front. His eyes were blindfolded with a black cloth.

A chill passed through her as the man reminded her of how Rahul was captured with his hands tied together by the Kabalis and his face blindfolded. The horses stopped near the tall pole that was erected on top of a flattened big boulder.

Her stomach churned, realizing they were planning to kill the man and hang him the way they had done with the Thakvar security head, who had attacked a Kabali boy from the back.

Despite some of the friendly faces and talks, she had to remind herself that Kabali clan followed primitive practices and didn’t show mercy when it came to outsiders or those who broke their code of conduct.

The crowd began assembling in front of the pole.

Nandini followed the crowd.

“Naavan!” someone shouted. “Bhele mayi Kabali hottar.”

Nandini didn’t understand what the first word was, but whoever the man was, he was found on the Kabali land.

When they removed the blindfold from the man’s face, she saw that it was a very young boy who appeared terrified. He spoke in a different language, most likely begging them to let him go.

My God.

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