Page 59 of Twisted Alliance

“Shivay…” she called him.

His eyes fell on her. There was cold anger blazing in his eyes.

“We are going to leave now,” he told the head of security. “You and the other men come after tracking the attackers.”

The security head nodded. “Are you sure you don’t want some of us to come with you, sir?”

“Yes. There won’t be any other attacks.” Shivay Thakvar’s voice sounded grim.

Hoping he was right, she stood, shivering. Her clothes were still damp from the dip they had taken earlier, but the shivers weren’t because of her wet clothes. The air was warm, but the attack and the terror she felt on both their behalf left her shaken. Wrapping her hands around her body, she waited.

Shivay held her arm and pulled her towards the place next to the pond where she left her veil and shoes. With trembling hands, she wrapped the long veil around her and put on her shoes.

He then led them back to the SUV.

She sat next to him, continuing to shiver. When he started the vehicle and held the steering wheel, she noticed his bruised and bleeding knuckles.

“A-are you okay?” she asked as her teeth continued to chatter due to the delayed shock.

He continued to drive. She thought he hadn’t heard her properly, but he turned his head and watched her face.

“Yes. Unfortunately for you, I’m fine,” he said before looking back at the desert.

Stunned, she stared at him.

There was dark anger on his face. Until then, she thought it was directed at the attackers. But now, she could see it was directed towards her as well. The wrath in his eyes made her shiver even more. The dark anger reminded her of how he had looked at her the night her brother’s men attacked him.

Did he think she didn’t help him enough during the attack?

“I’m sorry. I know I should have—”

Before she could finish, he turned on the music in the SUV. She saw his bruised knuckles clenched on the steering wheel as though he were controlling his fury. Feeling shaken and guilty about not helping him enough, she remained quiet.

***

No more words were exchanged until they reached the Thakvar mansion.

Just as they drove towards the mansion’s entrance, Shivay Thakvar turned towards her. “Don’t mention anything about the oasis attack to my father.”

Shocked and unable to still speak, she nodded.

As soon as the SUV stopped, the Thakvar household waited outside the mansion to receive them. She got down, and as she waited, he joined her. She was shocked when he held her close as Malathi and the other women performed the welcome ritual.

Ishani slowly realized that his arm wrapped around her waist, concealing his injured knuckles behind her veil and slid his other hand inside his pants pockets. He led her up the mansion stairs where Mihir Thakvar was waiting with a smile.

“I’m so glad you were able to visit your mother, Ishani.”

“Thank you, Papa,” she said softly.

“I hope she is doing well.”

She nodded. “Yes, she is doing fine now.”

Her father-in-law looked at them both. “You must be tired after the journey. I’ve asked the ritual feast to be moved to tomorrow.”

She felt grateful for his consideration.

He looked at Shivay Thakvar. “I’ll talk to you later, son.”

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