Page 70 of Twisted Alliance

He turned to look at her, and slowly, his mouth twisted. “Don’t worry. I’m not kidnapping you to take revenge.” Before she could sigh in relief, he added the word, “Yet.”

Her heart raced in panic before realizing he was deliberately scaring her. Angry and outraged, she raised her chin. “I’m not scared,” she said.

His eyes flashed darkly in amusement. “Aren’t you?”

Dragging her eyes away from him, she refused to reply. She sat back and looked outside while the SUV went in a familiar direction.

An hour later, she realized they were heading into the desert area.

Did he lie to me?

Is he going to take his revenge and bury me in the sand like he was buried? Or is he going to drown me in the oasis?

Before she lost her courage, she turned to look at him. He was watching her, but there was no amusement on his face.

“We are meeting the rest of the clans,” he stated as if he picked up on her fear.

Shocked, she stared at him. “The rest of the clans?”

“Yes. I have asked for a meeting, and I want you to present a united front. I want the rest of the clans to think we are happily married, and our two clans are now united just like how it used to be before the goddess statue was stolen.”

It took a moment for his words to sink in. She was shocked.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” she asked.

He kept quiet, and there was a dark look on his face.

He didn’t trust her. And he thought she might give that information to her brother or others, jeopardizing his plans.

“Is my brother coming?” she asked.

“No. It’s the smaller clans. The ones on the Eastern side of the desert.”

She was shocked. The Eastern side of the desert had clans who were cut off from the rest of the civilization. They were mostly considered to be primitive.

“W-what if they attack us?” she asked, feeling worried.

“There’s a treaty in place. They won’t attack here.”

“But we were attacked by Kabalis in the oasis,” she reminded him.

He watched her for a long moment. She thought he would be angry and tell her that it wasn’t the Kabali clan that attacked.

“We have enough security. So, just do as I say and remain next to me.”

She bit her lip and nodded.

The SUV stopped near a large makeshift tent. She could see the Singoor temple in the distance.

Hoping the clans would respect the holy land, she stepped out of the SUV. Shivay Thakvar guided her inside the meeting place.

Although she was considered to be the Gujjar clan heir, she had not attended a clan meeting. It was her brother who represented her and their clan. Her brother had told her that women weren’t allowed to attend the clan meetings.

Then why is Shivay Thakvar bringing me here?

He could have simply told the other clans of the alliance formed with the Gujjars. Feeling confused, she scanned the room through the translucent fabric of her veil and noticed quite a few people assembled there. Clan heads were seated on a chair surrounded by their trusted men. A small shudder passed through her when she thought of potential violence breaking out at any moment.

Shivay Thakvar’s warm, muscled arm wrapped around her waist. Her fear subsided, and she unexpectedly drew strength from his touch.

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