Page 295 of A King's Oath

“I never missed my mother, but until her, until these last few years, I didn’t realise I missed a mother. If you would spend one hour with her without your prejudice, chances are, you will be able to see what I am trying to show.”

“Mother-in-law drama is real then.”

Samarth laughed, kissing the apple of her cheek. “We are moving away soon so that won’t be a problem. I am just asking you so that our life going forward with my family is smooth. We will move away from this royal life like Maan bhai once did. But we will always be connected to family, isn’t it?”

She nodded. Silence fell. He caressed her ring finger — “I didn’t give you a ring.”

“Happy realisation.”

“Everything happened so quickly. It still seems like a dream that your parents agreed on the first attempt.”

“How many attempts had you anticipated?”

“Four or five. At least.”

“My parents have always been liberal in their outlook. They gave us wings and became the wind underneath them. But in this, I know they are not 100% in.”

“I figured.”

“But they will not be 100% in until they get to know you,” Avantika nudged her chin up and met his eyes. “They met you once, for five minutes. They don’t know the amazing man you are.”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“I will do everything I can for them to forgive me.”

“And that right there is my amazing man. They will know it too.”

Warm breath left his mouth, flying the stray hairs at her temple.

“Listen, call your father and ask if Brahmi is asleep.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“If she wouldn’t be then I would have to go get her back and then I wouldn’t be able to sleep with you.” He tugged her tighter and nuzzled her temple.

She laughed — “Are you jealous of your own daughter?”

“I am not. I just think… that I need this night with you. For the next one month we might not get time to talk properly forget touch and lie like this. We already had a rushed couple of weeks. It feels like after I found you again — massive decisions of our lives got taken but I did not get a chance to even hold you enough.”

She caressed the hair of his forearms, “I know.”

“I love my daughter. But tonight is her mother’s.” He tipped her face back up and planted a kiss on her mouth. “Tonight is for Ava and Sam.”

“I never liked Sam much.”

“My daughter seems to like that name so it sticks.”

“Fiiine!” She nuzzled his jaw. “But please confirm with your father once. She is a bed hogger. What if they are uncomfortable all night but do not call me?”

He nodded, leaning over to grab his phone and made the call. She pushed close to his jaw, pasting her ear to the phone. He pulled it from between them and toggled the loudspeaker on.

“Yes, beta,” his father’s deep voice answered.

“Is Brahmi asleep?”

“Yes. Why?”