Page 16 of Twisted Alliance

Dreaming of her new life, she continued to feed the peacocks and rabbits. She was smiling at the small white rabbit eating out of her hand when she suddenly felt cold air sweeping over her.

Her skin prickled, and she shivered, feeling someone’s eyes on her.

Frowning, she looked around. Normally, no one disturbed her when she was at her favorite place unless it was an emergency with her mother or brother.

Rubbing her arms slightly, she tried to focus on the small rabbit, but once again, her skin prickled, and she felt a blast of cold air, causing her to shiver.

“Did you think you would get away?” a deep, menacing voice growled behind her.

Ishani jumped violently and turned.

It was him. Shivay Thakvar. The man who had been her husband for only a few hours.

But instead of the darkly handsome face she had seen during their wedding festivities and later in the tent, his entire face was now covered and dripping with blood. His eyes blazed red while he extended his blood-covered hands towards her.

“You killed me,” he growled. “And I am here to drag you into hell with me like I promised.”

His blood-soaked fingers wrapped around her throat and pressed hard.

Ishani tried to scream, but her voice was cut off by the pressure he applied. Struggling hard, she tried to pry his hands away, but he didn’t loosen his grip nor was there any empathy in his face.

Tears filled her eyes as she desperately tried to fight him off.

She didn’t want to die.

Oh God, Ma…

She had to live as she couldn’t leave her defenseless mother alone in the world.

She tried to beg him, but she couldn’t make any sound.

“I’m going to kill you,” he hissed.

His fingers tightened even more, and the last thing she saw was his angry, accusing eyes before blackness covered her vision completely.

Oh God, no!

Ishani’s eyes flashed open with a loud gasp.

The first thing she realized was that it was a dream. She was lying on the stone bench under a tree in the garden nook. The book beside her made her realize she must have fallen asleep while reading.

I’m not dead.

She had once again dreamed of the man who had briefly been her husband. It had been three days since things went very wrong on her wedding night that led to a man’s death.

Oh God.

She was breathing fast while her heart thudded loudly inside her chest, nearly drowning out the other sounds. She faintly heard someone’s voice calling her name.

She turned to find one of the maids standing at a distance with a concerned look.

“Ishani madam, Devraj sir wants to speak with you.”

Ishani blinked while registering what the maid was saying.

“T-tell my brother I’ll be there in a few minutes,” she told the maid.

The maid nodded and left.

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