Page 22 of Twisted Alliance

Once again, she felt the dark spots appearing in front of her. But she sucked in a deep breath, willing herself not to faint.

“I would like to speak with my sister before I leave.”

Ishani’s heart thudded, listening to her brother’s request. She badly hoped Shivay Thakvar wouldn’t object to the simple request.

Luckily, no one objected, and they nodded in understanding, thinking it was a poignant moment between the siblings where she would bid a tearful goodbye to her brother.

A woman led them to a sitting room attached to the dining area.

As soon as the woman left, Ishani held her brother’s hands and begged. “Please take me back with you. I can’t stay here!”

Her brother shook his head. “You can’t come back home. Not yet.”

“But Shivay Thakvar will kill me! He remembers everything!”

Her brother only frowned. “Nothing will happen, Ishani. You must stay here for the sake of our people. And don’t reveal I was behind the idea of drugging him on your wedding night.”

Ishani’s stomach sank. “W-what? How can I help our people by staying with a man who knows I betrayed him?”

“You must stay. Don’t worry… I will check on you soon.”

If I am alive until then.

She knew her brother would not take her home as she begged. To him and others, it was a matter of family honor and more.

“I-if something happens to me, take care of Ma. Please.”

Even if she couldn’t beg her brother to protect her, she would beg him to protect her defenseless mother.

“I already promised I would,” her brother replied. “Nothing will happen to you or your mother. Just play along for a few days as his wife. I will come to you and tell you what to do next.”

Ishani didn’t know what to say to that. She was terrified, and her brother was planning something in the future when the possibility of her staying alive or well was less.

“I should go before the Thakvars suspect us of conspiracies,” her brother said.

But he had conspired against the Thakvars. And she had agreed to do as he said, only to be made the sacrificial lamb.

Controlling the urge to run out of the mansion and escape, she stood still until the women waiting outside the room came in.

An older woman patted her hand. “It’s normal for a bride to miss her family after marriage. But don’t worry… your husband will take good care of you.”

If only the women knew how far it was from the truth.

Having no other choice, she allowed herself to be led outside the room. They passed through the long, gleaming marble hallways. She barely noticed much as her head throbbed and her eyes blurred, feeling helpless with fear.

She was taken to the top floor and into a corner wing. When the doors were pushed open, her face paled, seeing the massive three-room suite overlooking the gardens from the tall windows.

“This is your suite,” someone announced with excitement. “We have been preparing it for your arrival since the past week when the alliance was arranged. We hope you like it.”

Aesthetically, the suite was stunningly beautiful, but all she could see was the massive four-poster bed at the center.

Someone giggled. “I don’t think the Thakvar heir would prefer the satin bedding, but he needs to get used to feminine things now that he is married.”

“I’m sure he will love the feel of satin with his bride next to him on the bed.”

“You mean under him?”

The women laughed.

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