The past few days had a sickening routine. During the day, she spent time in the encampment at the stables and cooking area. Then, when the sunset, she and the demon ate dinner together in the tent. Each night, she expected him to force her to keep her promise.
But the demon pulled her to the bedding, held her, and slept while unholy thoughts and feelings towards the demon, haunted her. She had barely slept as she was worried that in her sleep, she would end up seducing the demon and beg him to touch her the way he did before and more.
I have to get away from him!
She had nearly exhausted all of her options to plan an escape or get the demon to take her back to her family. Nothing seemed to work.
Just when she thought she would have to give up, she thought of something.
I hope this works.
“I will meet with Skandamai today,” she announced after her bath.
Uma nodded. “I’ll finish up my work and come with you.”
Nandini shook her head with a smile. “No, it’s all right. I’ll go by myself.”
Uma didn’t look surprised. Nandini could understand and also talk in proper sentences in the Kabali language.
Finishing her breakfast, Nandini set out to the tent that was the farthest in the encampment.
The entrance of the seer’s tent was open, and the old woman was chanting with her eyes closed. The smell of burning incense sticks filled the air inside, and there was a large bowl filled with ash, yellow threads, flowers, and two small statues. Thankfully, the human skulls remained at the back of the tent.
Nandini sat opposite the seer at a distance, waiting.
A few moments later, the old woman began to speak.
“I told you the danger is approaching, and you must embrace your destiny and husband.”
Nandini was shocked as the seer’s eyes were still closed.
How did she know it was me?
She felt slightly unnerved.
The seer must have opened her eyes briefly and seen that it was me.
“I have accepted Rudra as my husband,” Nandini lied. “But I can’t embrace my destiny fully until my heart is happy. My heart wishes to see my family once. I need your help convincing Rudra to take me to Thakvar mansion to meet my family. I will then return and embrace my destiny.”
Her heart thudded, hoping the seer would speak with Rudra.
The seer slowly opened her eyes. And the old woman’s gaze bore into hers.
A bolt of discomfort passed through her at the seer’s knowing gaze.
“Your brothers married heiresses unhappy with the alliances,” the seer stated. “But those heiresses knew it was for the well-being of Singoor and did their duties.”
Nandini was shocked. “What?”
She wondered if she had misunderstood the seer’s words. She knew her brothers chose arranged marriages, and they had picked their brides from the Singoor region. But she didn’t ever think about whether the brides were willing or not. Her handsome billionaire brothers were sought out by women from all over the world. It was unimaginable to her that a woman would be unhappy to marry any of her brothers.
She was sure the seer was mistaken.
“My brothers and their wives love each other,” she said confidently. “My brothers would do anything for their wives’ happiness. If Rudra truly wants my heart, he will allow me to see my family once.”
The seer had a small smile.
“The Kabali heir will take you to the Thakvar mansion,” the old woman stated.