Page 21 of Twisted Alliance

Hoping that was the case with Shivay Thakvar, she drew in the courage to look at him again.

He was following the instructions of the welcoming group, and his darkly handsome face didn’t show anger or happiness. It was hard to read his expression.

He also didn’t look at or acknowledge her in any way.

With her stomach trembling, she looked away from him.

The welcome festivities continued and were followed by an elaborate feast. Ishani’s clan heads joined the Thakvars at the long table that hosted nearly fifty people. Mihir Thakvar was seated at the head of the table while the rest of the family and important clan members sat in the places allocated to them.

Ishani’s brother was seated opposite her. She badly wanted to speak with her brother but didn’t know if she would get the chance to do so before the members of her clan left the Thakvar mansion.

Her brother looked equally agitated and worried as her.

“Does the new bride not like the Thakvar delicacies?” someone asked.

“T-the food is delicious,” she replied, barely tasting the aromatic food served on her large, silver plate with half a dozen bowls of various delicacies.

Her stomach continued to shake with fear and nervousness.

Shivay Thakvar looked towards her. Sensing his dark gaze, she turned. She still couldn’t read his expression.

“You must try all of these dishes,” he said in a casual tone. “I recall enjoying the wedding feast, especially the interesting drink you offered to me.”

Ishani’s heart jerked violently.

Oh God. He remembers.

Shivay Thakvar did not forget anything as she had thought. At that moment, she noticed the dark intensity of his eyes despite the unreadable expression on his face.

He not only remembered, but he was also going to make her pay.

The contents inside her stomach threatened to shoot up. Her hands trembled at the thought of what he might do to her.

“You must feed your wife, Shivay,” a woman said cheerfully.

There was good-natured laughter at the comment. A cold smile covered Shivay Thakvar’s handsome face as he watched her. He then picked up a piece of buttered wheat bread and dipped it in a curry before offering it to her.

“It’s not drugged or poisoned,” he said softly when she didn’t open her mouth.

His words shook her even more. But having no other choice, she opened her mouth and allowed the man she drugged with the intention of betraying him to feed her.

There were good-natured cheers at what appeared to be a sweet and affectionate gesture from a newlywed husband.

“I-I can eat on my own,” she said, wanting him to stop.

She thought he would force-feed her or announce the truth about her. Bracing herself, she waited in fear while watching him.

“Your wife is shy, Shivay.”

The cold smile remained on his handsome face while laughing and cheering continued.

Dragging her eyes away from his, she focused on her food. She glanced at her brother briefly and noticed he was quite tense as well.

She didn’t know how she sat through the rest of the meal until it ended. But when it did end, she wanted it to go on forever since she didn’t know what she was up against next.

A group of women with smiling faces approached her as soon as she got up from her dining chair. She knew they would accompany her to the marital room, where they would prepare her for the first night in her husband’s home.

Like a lamb to the slaughter…

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