Page 24 of Twisted Alliance

“Leave,” he told them.

The men didn’t argue. Shouting a few more cheers of begetting a Thakvar heir soon, they left after shutting the heavy doors of the bedroom suite.

The sound of the closed doors reverberated inside her shaking stomach.

Her heart continued to pound as she watched him walk towards her in slow, unhurried steps. His dark eyes kept her ensnared.

When he stopped in front of her, her legs shook so much under her dress that it took a lot of effort to remain standing in front of him.

“I warned you of the consequences when you tricked and betrayed me on our wedding night,” he said. A cold smile devoid of any warmth covered his darkly handsome face. “It’s time for you to pay… wife.”

Her legs nearly gave out underneath her, and she had to clutch the soft, sheer curtain next to the four-poster bed to remain upright.

“Y-you can’t kill me,” she said with a trembling voice. “M-my people won’t forgive you. There will be a war between our clans if you m-murder me.”

He didn’t seem affected by her warning. In fact, his cold, terrifying smile widened slightly.

“I don’t have to kill you. Death will be too easy of a punishment. There are many other ways to make you pay for your betrayal.”

Oh God.

“I-I didn’t betray you,” she said in desperation. “You are a stranger to me. I don’t owe you loyalty because you don’t belong here.”

A dark look passed his face at her words. “I am your husband,” he said grimly. “And you owe me your loyalty and damn well more.”

A gasp escaped her when he raised his sword. Knowing he would hurt and maim her, she ran towards the door, hoping to escape him. She might not get help, and after learning about her betrayal, she might be shunned by the Thakvars, but at least she would remain unhurt.

But she had barely taken a few steps when she felt his arm wrapping around her torso like an iron band and dragging her back. She gasped when her body crashed against his hard chest.

“Where do you think you are going?” his deep voice asked next to her ear.

“I won’t let you hurt me! I won’t!” she shouted in panic. She tried to grab his sword to prevent him from using it against her to hurt her like he did with her clansmen.

He swore darkly. And then, his hands wrapped around her waist before he picked her up and tossed her on the bed.

Her breath left her lungs when her back hit the soft mattress. Before she could suck in a breath to scream, he leaned over her.

“Don’t move,” he growled.

She froze and watched him in paralyzed fear as he lifted his sword from around his hips. But instead of removing the blade from the scabbard, he placed the entire bejeweled weapon on the long, cushioned stool at the foot of the bed.

Her heart thudded when he removed his turban and placed it beside the sword. Keeping his eyes on her, he began removing the long gold and pearl chain with tiger nails pendant, the thick bracelets, and a finger ring that belonged to the Thakvar clan heirs.

Even through her terror, she tried to keep her eyes locked on him, but they slipped below when he began unbuttoning his long, traditional tunic shirt. Her cheeks heated when she saw the tanned skin revealed underneath. Her stomach shook when he shrugged out of the heavy, traditional shirt and threw it on top of the turban and sword, baring his upper torso.

Her eyes widened, taking in the masculine chest hair and well-defined muscles on his upper arms and abdomen. Although his hair was closely clipped, and he didn’t have a significant mustache or beard like the clansmen, every inch of him looked overtly masculine. And dangerous.

His powerful body looked strong enough to kill her with a single blow or easily overpower her. She had witnessed his inhuman strength when he was drugged and attacked by a dozen men.

“Y-you have no right,” she whispered.

“I have every right,” he replied. “In fact, if I were to go by the laws of your land, as your husband, you belong to me until you breathe your last breath.”

She trembled, knowing he was right about the old pagan laws of her clans.

“B-but you are not from here!” she reminded him desperately. “You are educated and civilized! Modern men don’t hurt or force their wives!”

The cold smile on his handsome face turned mocking, making him look savage rather than the polished, civilized man she tried to make him out to be.

---