Page 28 of Twisted Bonds

“Don’t worry. They are doing quite well, and my men will ensure they are always safe.”

Gauri knew Rishab would always protect his family, and he considered her younger sister a part of his family.

“I love you, my desert rose. Your sister and your people are now my family and my people, too.”

Warmth bloomed inside her chest, recalling his words.

Rishab Thakvar was one in a billion. Although their marriage had a stormy beginning, he was the only man she desired and loved.

Raising herself on her tiptoes, she held her husband’s face and kissed him passionately.

“I love you,” she said.

His eyes darkened with familiar desire, and he swept her into his arms.

“Rishab!” she laughed. “Everyone will be waiting downstairs for us!”

“We won’t take long, and I need to remind you how much I want you and love you, my desert rose.”

She already knew how much he wanted and loved her. But she didn’t protest.

She let the flames of desire and love burn brighter between them.

Nakul and Aadhya

Kanwar Region, Singoor Desert.

“Maaho, this carnival is so much fun!” Akshat, her oldest son, said to Aadhya, making her smile. It also made her proud that their father had to tell them once that she had to be addressed as Maaho, the head of the Kanwar clan, when they attended public events, and they never broke protocol.

“That’s great, Akki. Will you take your brother to teach him how to throw a spear?” It was the Kanwar’s traditional weapon and she still remembered the first time she saw Nakul teach their oldest boy how to throw a spear by using a wooden stick.

“Papa already taught me, Maaho,” Nandish, her six-year-old, said quite confidently.

Aadhya could not help but smile. Her boys made her proud every day. Growing up in the Kanwar region, they not only understood the rules of the land but could also converse in a few different languages of the Singoor region.

She watched as her boys ran off to the section with spear-throwing set up for all ages with the required safety measures. And just watching them in their traditional outfits, excited to be a part of the Singoor traditions, made pride fill her heart, and she batted away the joy that rose to her eyes.

“Someone looks very happy, Maaho.”

The deep voice of the man she loved only broadened her smile as she turned to face him. “Really, I wonder who that would be?”

His eyes deepened as he took in a look on her face, but she held his gaze. “The person with the sparkle in her beautifuleyes, one with a heart of gold, and last but not least, the one who makes my chest warm with the slightest of her smiles,” he paused as he took half a step closer, “and the one and only woman who will rule over my heart to eternity.”

Heat rose to her cheeks in response to the intense yet warm moment, but she smiled, looking away at the people at the carnival.

“Save it, Mr. Thakvar,” she whispered with a glint in her eyes as they roamed over the various stalls that were set up at the carnival before locking her gaze with her husband.

The look in his eyes only intensified, but a wicked smile on his face. “What if I don’t want to?”

She only laughed. “Let’s go see how much fun the boys are having at the sporting events.”

“After you, Maaho!”

Even as they walked through the arena that was built over five years ago with designated areas for different sports, she felt his intense gaze on her. How did he have such an effect on her, even after all those years of being together?

As if on impulse, she stopped and turned to look at him, only to crash into his chest as he was close to her. Like that was the trigger they both needed, he pulled her away from the hallway into an empty cooldown room.

“Nakul,” she gasped as he shut the door and pushed her back into it.

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